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.
