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.
