NewsHistoric Preservation Commission told to have Concert Street property down by July 31; others given dates, too
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing EditorThe Keokuk Historic Preservation Commission Thursday was given new deadlines to meet concerning three properties on Concert, North Third and Blondeau streets.
The issue of the properties' fate probably will be addressed again at the commission's meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Keokuk Public Library. The city's code enforcement official, Kathie Mahoney, told city council members Thursday the demolition sites at all three properties need to be secured immediately with construction fencing for public safety. Mahoney also said the building at 815 Concert St. should be completely down by July 31, or three months later than a previous deadline. In addition, the basement should be filled in and the dirt and ground should be seeded, she said. A small house in the back should be torn down, too, she added. By Aug. 31, the building at 23 N. Third St. should be down, Mahoney told council members and commission member Doug Atterberg. She also said the hole should be filled with proper material and the dirt should be seeded. All loose bricks and stone should be removed from the property by the Aug. 31 deadline, she said. “If the building is allowed to remain, it will need to be presentable, secured and cleaned up by Aug. 31,” she said. “If it is not to the city's satisfaction, we will take the building down the first week of September.” Mahoney noted a sign on the North Third Street property says the projected completion time of the project is 2010, which was never discussed with the city. “If the Historic Preservation Commission has the plans drawn up and the total monies in place, then maybe we could discuss deeding this property to them,” she said. “At present they are making plans and putting signs on property that is not theirs.” The asbestos siding should be removed from the building at 1123-1125 Blondeau St. by Sept. 30, Mahoney said. “Any other materials that they want to salvage will need to be out by then, too,” she added. “We will take the rest of the building down the first week of October. They will need to maintain the property until then.” “The point of historic preservation is to take care of properties to the greatest extent possible,” Atterberg told the council and Mayor David Gudgel. Atterberg also said the second floor of the building at 815 Concert St. has been removed and a woman from LaHarpe, Ill., wants the plank flooring on the first floor. “It (plank flooring) can't come out until the interior walls come out,” Atterberg added. He also told the council he didn't know if the July 31 date was a “magic number.” New council member Mark Hoyt said there are open windows and doorways at the Concert Street property that present safety concerns. He asked Atterberg if the site could be secured better to make it safer. “The only thing important to me is to do the best job I can of saving and recycling the material,” Atterberg said. “The council gave you money ($5,000). Why can't you hire somebody to help you?” Mahoney asked. She also said $1,000 was spent on two signs indicating work was in progress. Atterberg said the commission now has no way to haul material away from its building sites and there is only one person working on projects - himself. “Are you being too meticulous?” council member Mike Baum asked. Atterberg said he has difficulty at times deciding what to keep and discard in the commission's salvage efforts. He also said the restoration of the superintendent's lodge at the Keokuk National Cemetery has taken most of another commission member's time. Council member Doug Matlick said he favored the deadlines presented by Mahoney, adding perhaps the commisson could use city trucks when they became available. The commission wants to build a replica of the Galland Hotel at 23 N. Third St., which would be adjacent to a building at 21 N. Third St. that is considered to be the oldest representation of that kind of structure in Keokuk. Mahoney, who opposes keeping the building at 23 N. Third St., said, “Their (commission's) mission should not be to build a replica of another building. At this time the only building in their possession that is historical is the building at 21 N. Third St. and there is nothing being done there at all. At this time, the building is not even secure.” Mahoney and some council members also said the commission has too many ongoing projects and too few workers. The city's insurer, Iowa Municipal Insurance LTD, has said the buildings obtained by the commission present a significant liability exposure that has not been considered in the company's premiums. “These buildings can create an attractive nuisance where individuals could sustain serious injuries that the city would be liable for,” said Special Markets Underwriting Manager Craig Hoeman. In addition, Hoeman is requesting: A complete list of the property addresses and number of buildings at each address that have been acquired so far and to be notified of each new acquisition. Assurances from the city in writing that it has inspected the buildings for potential safety hazards and has strongly secured the buildings so it is very difficult for someone to enter the buildings. Assurances also are sought that the police will routinely check the buildings for intruders. Some idea of what the plans are for the buildings. After the information is received, the company will decide if a premium increase is needed, Hoeman said. Mahoney said the city's insurance agent is recommending the creation of a private organization for all properties to be used for salvage, restoration and resale, with the city holding no liability. In addtion, Community Development Director Pam Broomhall has advised the ordinance creating the Historic Preservation Commission should be reviewed. The language should be revised so the purchase or donation of property for salvage by the commission is prohibited, Broomhall believes. Copyright © 2010 - Daily Gate City
|
