March 29, 2024

Council approves ‘emergency proceedings’ on North Maple Street

Creston City Council unanimously approved a “finding of necessity to institute emergency proceedings at 120 N. Maple St.” at its regularly scheduled meeting Monday.

Mike Taylor, city administrator, updated the council on his meetings with Tometich Engineering, which is working on a quote for demolition specifications.

Taylor said a number of local and non-local demolition contractors have come to look at the project.

“It’s a pretty complicated demolition process, so we’re trying to get input through our structural engineer meeting with those contractors,” said Taylor. “They have a lot of questions for him and some questions for me, things we need to address, what’s best for the city and what we need to do.”

Taylor said he is gathering information from the contractors for city insurance.

Taylor is concerned about closing Maple Street, its businesses and displacing tenants during demolition, which could last two weeks, but would be required for safety reasons.

“We can’t have them living there when we’re doing our demolition. Where are they going to go and how is that going to be funded?” asked Taylor.

Taylor said the road closure would be necessary to allow heavy equipment operators through. Additionally, there is concern that workers could work late into the evening to complete projects in an efficient manner.

“We need to be aware of that so that we can let people know and have an idea that may happen. It’s not going to be quiet in some situations,” said Taylor.

The building also requires special handling and disposal, as it has some asbestos. With that, the process requires contractors have the proper certifications in place, and signatures from the Department of Natural Resources and county’s transfer station are necessary to move forward.

“There’s a little bit of work to do. But, it is in process. Everybody seems to understand that we want to get it done as quickly as we can,” said Taylor.

Taylor said it’s difficult to get a cost estimate at this time because unforeseen issues may arise once demolition crews are on site. Currently, Taylor said the condition of the the walls in the building to the south is unknown, but he is planning to have a temporary wall built to protect the building to the south.

Emergency

The building is not city-owned, but Taylor said it is a matter of safety.

“That’s why we have a resolution to do this as an emergency,” said Taylor.

Creston City Council had started discussions about the building again in October after the building began affecting its neighbor to the south, 114 N. Maple St.

Cost

The project was last estimated to cost $425,000 in 2017, but wasn’t a planned project. However, the city had planned on putting some money aside. To date, Taylor said the city had saved its first installment of $40,000.

Currently, Taylor is researching a statewide program, which offers the city a 1-percent loan.Additionally, he is cost comparing services, such as which landfill has lesser Tiffing fees.

Taylor said it’s possible the city might have some TIFF, local options sales tax or general fund money available toward parts of the project.

“The other thing is to put it on everyone’s tax roll,” said Taylor.

Ownership of the building could take the city three to four months.