Board of Works Awards Demolition Contract for Blighted Houses

City_of_Knox_LogoThe Knox Board of Works Tuesday awarded a bid for the demolition of four homes acquired as part of the blight elimination grant program.

They chose Hebron-based Chem Check, Inc. to do the work for a cost of $33,400. Their bid was higher than the one submitted by Rochester-based Jackson Excavating, but Jackson did not include a form required by the state in their bid packet. State officials advised the city to accept the “lowest and most responsible” bid.

Mayor Dennis Estok hopes the four homes approved for demolition can be torn down within the next month. Utility service to all four has to be disconnected before demolition work can start. City water and sewer can be shut off within the next two weeks. Disconnecting NIPSCO service may take a little bit longer.

Estok says the grant will cover demolition costs for 10 houses. Public hearings are scheduled for four more demolitions. Of those, one house is ready to go and the other three are pending state approval. The grant allows the city to spend up to $6,000 to acquire a dilapidated building from a willing seller. City officials would like to acquire and tear down two more houses as part of the process.