Posted on July 19, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Demolition plans for a partially collapsed downtown North Judson building are being finalized by the town council. A contract with Dirt Works Excavating is complete, and Town Attorney Justin Schramm presented it to council members for their signatures Monday. “One thing we did work out between he and I is on the original bid, he talked about having salvage rights to that property once it’s knocked down,” Schramm said. “I just wanted to make sure we had the right to repurpose those windows through a third-party contractor. He said he had no problem with that.”
An individual has offered to buy the building’s windows for an estimated $2,000. So far, it looks like that’s all of the demolition cost the town will be able to recoup. Dirt Works’ bid was for nearly $100,000, plus the cost of asbestos handling.
But there are still a couple more steps to be taken before the building at 205 and 207 Lane Street can finally be torn down. As of Monday, Dirt Works was still waiting for the necessary permits from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
On top of that, the demolition contractor and the structural engineer who evaluated the building will both have to give information during a hearing in Starke Circuit Court. Schramm said Monday he was still trying to finalize a court date with Special Judge Michael Shurn of Pulaski County. “The judge seemed confused why I was asking for another hearing, and I reminded him that he told me I had to go in on another hearing before we were to demolish the building,” Schramm said. “Then I was referred to Starke Circuit Court. So I’m hoping we can get it in this week. I’m really hoping. But at the latest, before we get those certifications back from IDEM because I don’t want to hold up our contractor any longer. I know he has other projects he wants to get to.”
Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall has recused himself due to a conflict of interest. Once the court hearing takes place and the certifications are received, Dirt Works has 60 days to complete the demolition.
Showing posts with label demolition bids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label demolition bids. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Friday, July 7, 2017
North Judson Council to Meet Monday to Open Demolition Bids for Partially Collapsed Building
Posted on July 7, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Town of North Judson will make a third attempt at hiring someone to tear down a partially collapsed downtown building. Demolition bids for 205 and 207 Lane Street are due by 3:30 this afternoon. They will be opened during a special meeting of the town council Monday morning at 7:00.
It’s just the latest step in a long process to tear the building down. The town first solicited demolition bids back in February. But the council ended up rejecting all of them, after building owner Doug Cassel began a lengthy legal battle to retrieve his personal property from inside, including a 1978 Cadillac Eldorado.
The town again attempted to hire a demolition contractor last month, after part of the building collapsed in on itself back in May. However, the town only got one quote, and it was for over $250,000.
During Monday’s town council meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins emphasized that the lack of progress is not because the town can’t afford the demolition. “$250,000 that we’re going to spend on this building and never recoup anything for is way too much,” she said. “So thankfully, the board decided not to go with that, opened it up for bid. Now if things come back – I’m not going to give a number because I don’t want to tell people what we’re willing to pay – but they should come back significantly less than that, and yes, there is money.” No quotes had been received by Monday’s meeting, but Collins said there has been a good amount of interest this time around.
Because of the urgent nature of the demolition, North Judson has not been able to apply for grant funding to help cover the cost, and town officials don’t expect to recoup anything from Cassel. However, Town Attorney Justin Schramm said someone has offered to buy the building’s windows. “I told this individual that I would put him in contact with our contractor so he can talk about removal of those windows because from the sounds of it, if we can recoup three, four, or five thousand dollars – what he’s willing to pay for those windows for the guys who’s re-purposing, I think it’s probably worth our time, if we can get something out of it,” Schramm said.
If a contractor is chosen Monday, another court hearing will have to take place before Special Judge Michael Shurn. Both the demolition contractor and the structural engineer who evaluated the building will be required to give information in court.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Town of North Judson will make a third attempt at hiring someone to tear down a partially collapsed downtown building. Demolition bids for 205 and 207 Lane Street are due by 3:30 this afternoon. They will be opened during a special meeting of the town council Monday morning at 7:00.
It’s just the latest step in a long process to tear the building down. The town first solicited demolition bids back in February. But the council ended up rejecting all of them, after building owner Doug Cassel began a lengthy legal battle to retrieve his personal property from inside, including a 1978 Cadillac Eldorado.
The town again attempted to hire a demolition contractor last month, after part of the building collapsed in on itself back in May. However, the town only got one quote, and it was for over $250,000.
During Monday’s town council meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins emphasized that the lack of progress is not because the town can’t afford the demolition. “$250,000 that we’re going to spend on this building and never recoup anything for is way too much,” she said. “So thankfully, the board decided not to go with that, opened it up for bid. Now if things come back – I’m not going to give a number because I don’t want to tell people what we’re willing to pay – but they should come back significantly less than that, and yes, there is money.” No quotes had been received by Monday’s meeting, but Collins said there has been a good amount of interest this time around.
Because of the urgent nature of the demolition, North Judson has not been able to apply for grant funding to help cover the cost, and town officials don’t expect to recoup anything from Cassel. However, Town Attorney Justin Schramm said someone has offered to buy the building’s windows. “I told this individual that I would put him in contact with our contractor so he can talk about removal of those windows because from the sounds of it, if we can recoup three, four, or five thousand dollars – what he’s willing to pay for those windows for the guys who’s re-purposing, I think it’s probably worth our time, if we can get something out of it,” Schramm said.
If a contractor is chosen Monday, another court hearing will have to take place before Special Judge Michael Shurn. Both the demolition contractor and the structural engineer who evaluated the building will be required to give information in court.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Grant Funds Unlikely for North Judson Building Demolition
Posted on June 21, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
It’s looking unlikely that North Judson will be able to get grant funding to help demolish a downtown building believed to be in danger of collapse. Part of the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street already collapsed in on itself on May 11, forcing North Judson to close off a portion of its downtown area.
Town officials asked the Kankakee-Iroquios Regional Planning Commission if any resources were available to help cover demolition costs. The problem, according to Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins, is that a blight elimination grant would take too long, and the state’s urgent need funds are designed mainly for weather-related emergencies, meaning the emergency demolition wouldn’t qualify.
The town didn’t have much more luck with state lawmakers. “We contacted both our legislators and just got back a kind of generic ‘We’ll look into it,'” said town council member Jane Ellen Felchuk. “But I had it from another source that the state doesn’t have any money they’re passing out.”
A demolition quote previously received by the town was for over $250,000. The town council voted earlier this month to reject it, in part, because of the high price. Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann told the town council Monday that since then, three companies have expressed interest in doing the work. One of those planned to visit the site Tuesday.
All demolition quotes are due by Friday, July 7 at 3:30 p.m.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
It’s looking unlikely that North Judson will be able to get grant funding to help demolish a downtown building believed to be in danger of collapse. Part of the structure at 205 and 207 Lane Street already collapsed in on itself on May 11, forcing North Judson to close off a portion of its downtown area.
Town officials asked the Kankakee-Iroquios Regional Planning Commission if any resources were available to help cover demolition costs. The problem, according to Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins, is that a blight elimination grant would take too long, and the state’s urgent need funds are designed mainly for weather-related emergencies, meaning the emergency demolition wouldn’t qualify.
The town didn’t have much more luck with state lawmakers. “We contacted both our legislators and just got back a kind of generic ‘We’ll look into it,'” said town council member Jane Ellen Felchuk. “But I had it from another source that the state doesn’t have any money they’re passing out.”
A demolition quote previously received by the town was for over $250,000. The town council voted earlier this month to reject it, in part, because of the high price. Town Superintendent Marshall Horstmann told the town council Monday that since then, three companies have expressed interest in doing the work. One of those planned to visit the site Tuesday.
All demolition quotes are due by Friday, July 7 at 3:30 p.m.
Monday, February 27, 2017
North Judson Looking for Demolition, Mowing Contractors
Posted on February 27, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Town of North Judson is moving ahead with the demolition of a downtown building, but so far no one has expressed interest in doing the work. Town officials decided to tear down the building at 205 and 207 Lane Street after they determined the owners did not make the required repairs to bring the building up to safety standards.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says the town has not yet received any demolition bids. The town council had tentatively planned to choose a contractor next Monday. Contractors interested in doing the work may contact the town offices at 574-896-3340 for more information.
Collins adds the town’s also looking for contractors to mow the lawns at Highland and Pioneer cemeteries this year. Mowing bids will be accepted until April 3.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Town of North Judson is moving ahead with the demolition of a downtown building, but so far no one has expressed interest in doing the work. Town officials decided to tear down the building at 205 and 207 Lane Street after they determined the owners did not make the required repairs to bring the building up to safety standards.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says the town has not yet received any demolition bids. The town council had tentatively planned to choose a contractor next Monday. Contractors interested in doing the work may contact the town offices at 574-896-3340 for more information.
Collins adds the town’s also looking for contractors to mow the lawns at Highland and Pioneer cemeteries this year. Mowing bids will be accepted until April 3.
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