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Historic Preservation Commission told to have Concert Street property down by July 31; others given dates, too
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| One of the most popular rides at Kids’ Day at the Lee County Fair was the water slide inflatable. Riders got cooled off by getting up a good run, then gliding across the wet surface, much like slip and slide. Nick Warren of Donnellson tries out the slide, shortly after he and Denver Abolt battled on the joisting inflatable. |
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing Editor
The 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.
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.”
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“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.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of dailygate.com.
excuse me wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:27 AM:
" To Complain:
Practice what you preach: " Complain, complain, and complain. It never ends on here. Go to a council meeting and complain. Call the mayor and complain. It does no good to do it here. Make it count. "
It seems you are just doing what you want everyone else to stop doing.
You ever think people complain on here so much cause there isn't much else to do around here. "
Practice what you preach: " Complain, complain, and complain. It never ends on here. Go to a council meeting and complain. Call the mayor and complain. It does no good to do it here. Make it count. "
It seems you are just doing what you want everyone else to stop doing.
You ever think people complain on here so much cause there isn't much else to do around here. "
Community wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:08 AM:
" Sense of community?? Are you kidding me? It's generally not the people that are working at the factories that I'm worried about. In case you haven't noticed, the factory jobs in this town don't pay that badly. It's the white trash single welfare moms with 14 kids, with no positive male role model to be found that I'm talking about. And there's PLENTY of that!! BELIEVE ME!! (Or maybe you're not working in the right profession!) These are the people that are tearing down the town! Most have NO drive to see their children succeed in school or anything else (just look at the graduation rate if you want proof of that), and they don't respect ANYTHING, so we just perpetuate another group of losers. Lay some laws down about the number of rental properties allowed in town and that will for sure clean them out! Your welfare check can be mailed to you just as easily somewhere else! How about Kentucky or Arkansas??? Keokuk has some great potential, but not with these idiots hanging around bringing the rest of the community that really cares down! (p.s. I don't live here, so don't tell me to move... I already have!) "
Pat wrote on Jul 13, 2008 6:13 AM:
" Talk about slums. On the corner of 15th and Main there are 2 houses that have been empty for at least 15 years or more. They have been broken into several times. The garage on the corner house has been broken into. I can only guess what has gone on in there. I call the police when we notice anything odd, but why should we have to. Whoever owns them aren't using them. Why do we have to keep looking at these houses? They are just perfect for rats and mice breeding ground,. I can't count how many times kids have gone in and out of there. "
complain wrote on Jul 13, 2008 12:59 AM:
" Complain, complain, and complain. It never ends on here. Go to a council meeting and complain. Call the mayor and complain. It does no good to do it here. Make it count. "
Amazed at the sense of community wrote on Jul 12, 2008 10:55 PM:
" " Take down the slums in Keokuk, and we won't have anything left. Even in a decent area of town a person can't get away from the trash that kills this city's reputation. Thank god someone finally has the "you know what" to start demanding we take ownership of this city. Instead of tearing down three homes can I recommend about 3,000?"
You could always move to Hamilton or a different city if you think it is that bad!!! No one is forcing you to live here. I do agree that there are some houses and in some cases a lot of houses in Keokuk that need vast improvements but to call those people slums is completely immature. If you have not noticed the main source of employment in this town is a factory which normally produces lower income areas where these "slums" live.
I'm glad that you are man enough to tear someone down with name calling and thinking how much they are bringing down your "property value." Get over it and grow up. Some of the nicest people in town live in these areas and are always more than willing to help someone else out and very rarely receive help in return. Get a sense of respect and community or get out. "
You could always move to Hamilton or a different city if you think it is that bad!!! No one is forcing you to live here. I do agree that there are some houses and in some cases a lot of houses in Keokuk that need vast improvements but to call those people slums is completely immature. If you have not noticed the main source of employment in this town is a factory which normally produces lower income areas where these "slums" live.
I'm glad that you are man enough to tear someone down with name calling and thinking how much they are bringing down your "property value." Get over it and grow up. Some of the nicest people in town live in these areas and are always more than willing to help someone else out and very rarely receive help in return. Get a sense of respect and community or get out. "
To theyre all slums wrote on Jul 12, 2008 1:29 PM:
" I agree, we often drive through Keokuk and are amazed that you a nice house, slum house, nice house, slum house etc. I for one would be upset with the city for bringing my property value down. "
Theyre All Slums wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:25 AM:
" Take down the slums in Keokuk, and we won't have anything left. Even in a decent area of town a person can't get away from the trash that kills this city's reputation. Thank god someone finally has the "you know what" to start demanding we take ownership of this city. Instead of tearing down three homes can I recommend about 3,000?
By the way, if you want to get police officers of your family's back...stop breaking the law. Or, you could just continue to teach your children that it's someone else's fault that a police officer even has to take time out of thier day to speak with your delinquents. Get over it and be a parent. "
By the way, if you want to get police officers of your family's back...stop breaking the law. Or, you could just continue to teach your children that it's someone else's fault that a police officer even has to take time out of thier day to speak with your delinquents. Get over it and be a parent. "
All the Other Stuff wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:21 AM:
" As usual the City Councll can't see the forest for the trees. With all the other debilitated property in Keokuk, the council and Mahoney choose to concentrate on the guys that actually do some good. "
Fed up with the so called city leaders. wrote on Jul 11, 2008 6:39 PM:
" The officials are to buisy making laws that say an officer can arrest you just because he doesn't like your attitude. Thanks to this law, anytime you question a cop in keokuk about why he is lecturing your son even after he has already admitted that your son has done nothing illegal he can threaten to arrest you just because you are upset about being harrassed. I can understand if you make a threat or even jesture in a threatening way OK maybe you should be arrested but if no threats come from you in any shape or form then an officer should not be able to threaten you with arrest.
As long as the city leaders keep making bad laws like this that allow law enforcement to abuse their power then they can fool the people of this town into thinking that they are buisy working on other problems and that they don't have time to work on the abandoned slum buildings in Keokuk.
Here's an idea how about leaving the little people who have no police records and clean DMV reports alone and go after the people who are actualy causing harm to this city. The Keokuk Historic Preservation Commission is doing their best and harrassment will not get the projects done faster it will only cause undue delays. "
As long as the city leaders keep making bad laws like this that allow law enforcement to abuse their power then they can fool the people of this town into thinking that they are buisy working on other problems and that they don't have time to work on the abandoned slum buildings in Keokuk.
Here's an idea how about leaving the little people who have no police records and clean DMV reports alone and go after the people who are actualy causing harm to this city. The Keokuk Historic Preservation Commission is doing their best and harrassment will not get the projects done faster it will only cause undue delays. "
Mike wrote on Jul 11, 2008 4:31 PM:
" I agree that there are a number of slums in Keokuk that should be taken down,but the three that the city is going after ARE dangerous places that the city has repeatedly asked this commission to hurry up and take them down.This commission ignores the citys requests.They've had plenty of time to take all three buildings down,but they haven't made any effort to do so.I think the city has bent over backwards to give the commission plenty of time.Now its time to take all three propertys down or send in a city crew to do it for them.And its time for the city to start condeming abandoned property and have them razed as well. "
CONCENTRATE ON THE SLUMS wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:34 PM:
" HEY CITY OFFICIALS:
Instead of going after the few properties where someone is trying to make a differrence, why not go after the abandened slums and do some REAL good. You pick on the EASY TARGET because you know there are respectable citizens you can point at and ridicule. Be proactive and part of the solution instead of just pointing out the obvious. Of course, it will take much more work to go after the abandoned properties so I imagine they can continue to rot in place as ambition obviously is not a factor or more folks would be helping out the Pres. Commission. It is easy to point out problems but it takes REAL TALENT AND DRIVE to offers solutions. YOU, CITY OFFICIALS, ARE MASTERS OF THE OBVIOUS AND NOT CITY LEADERS. Otherwise you would be telling us about all the slums you have personally taken down rather than complaining about the 3 that someone has taken a civic interest in.
THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. By the way, did you get a raise, too? "
Instead of going after the few properties where someone is trying to make a differrence, why not go after the abandened slums and do some REAL good. You pick on the EASY TARGET because you know there are respectable citizens you can point at and ridicule. Be proactive and part of the solution instead of just pointing out the obvious. Of course, it will take much more work to go after the abandoned properties so I imagine they can continue to rot in place as ambition obviously is not a factor or more folks would be helping out the Pres. Commission. It is easy to point out problems but it takes REAL TALENT AND DRIVE to offers solutions. YOU, CITY OFFICIALS, ARE MASTERS OF THE OBVIOUS AND NOT CITY LEADERS. Otherwise you would be telling us about all the slums you have personally taken down rather than complaining about the 3 that someone has taken a civic interest in.
THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK. By the way, did you get a raise, too? "
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Fan of the Preservation Commission wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:25 AM: