OTTAWA — A resolution to accept a bid for demolition work on an old abandoned building on North Grant Street was passed during Ottawa Village Council’s regular meeting Monday.
Council voted unanimously to accept a bid quote of $8,900 from Gary Gerdeman Excavating to demolish the duplex at 127-129 N. Grant St. According to the Putnam County Auditor’s website, the property is owned by Melvin and Shannon Utrup.
The property had sustained flood damage during the flood in 2007 when the basement was filled with water, said Rich Knowlton, Ottawa Chief of Police and member of the Unsafe Structure Committee.
“Water was all around that neighborhood,” he said.
Some time later, the roof had been folded up during a powerful windstorm, Knowlton said. Chunks of roof flew across the roadway and into the lot across from the duplex, he said. At one point, residents in the neighborhood began raising concerns with village administration because a section of the roof was hanging over the edge, next to where the power lines connected to the building, said Ottawa Fire Department Chief Dan Rieman.
This is when the Unsafe Structure Committee began investigating the property, Knowlton said.
“We’ve been awarded a contract to go ahead and do an environmental mediation,” said Doug Luhring, of Total Environmental Services.
The company is currently preparing the property for asbestos removal, he said. After Luhring and his crew are finished with preparations, the Environmental Protection Agency will do its own inspection before the asbestos is removed, he said. After the removal is complete, the structure can be torn down.
Village Administrator Jack Williams said the asbestos removal will begin this week.
Ottawa Mayor Dean Meyer said removing asbestos from the building will cost between $35,000 and $37,000.
“That is only tax money, unfortunately,” he said. “The cost will be assessed to the property owner. At this time, I’m not sure how that will be done.”
It will cost the taxpayers around $44,000 to clean and demolish 127 and 129 W. Grant St. According to the auditor’s website, the property is worth $29,710.
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