Maysille city officials are seeking bids to tear down two buildings on West Second Street that are about to collapse onto the sidewalk and street.
The brick buildings at 139 and 141 West Second Street are some of the oldest in the downtown business district and the facades are connected by an archway. The buildings also share a common wall with another building to the east.
The properties were condemned in March and city officials were at the time working with property owners Dana and Suzette Blevins to find a solution to the situation, which has been ongoing for one year.
The facade of one building has begun to bow and large cracks have developed from the roof line downward. At the rear of the property, several walls have collapsed and the second story of the 141 building has begun to drop toward the first floor.
The Blevins filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming the foundations of the two buildings have incurred water damaged ever since the city undertook the project to locate all utility lines underground in the downtown district more than 10 years ago.
The city hired a structural engineer to inspect the building, including the foundations. Young said Tuesday the engineer's findings determined the city is not at fault for the deterioration and collapse of the buildings. As part of the process contractors and engineers who worked on the underground utilities project were interviewed, as well as the Blevins.
The owners had 30 days to respond to the condemnation notice to inform city officials if they would repair the buildings or have them torn down. Young said there has been no communication from the Blevins couple or action on their part to remedy the situation.
To protect the public, the barricades in front of the buildings have been moved onto the street, blocking parking spaces in the event the building should collapse before demolition can start.
Young said an advertisement seeking contractor bids has been placed with local newspapers and the bids will be opened on Friday, May 8. He said the project will be presented for action at a special city commission meeting scheduled for Monday, May 11.
Young said it is expected to cost the city $15,000 to tear down the buildings, after which time a lien will be placed against the owners.
He said if the building falls before the city can take action, it will be the property owners' responsibility to clean up the site and if they refuse, the city can place a lien against the property it that situation also.
He said the sites have been valued at $6,000 each through the Property Valuation Administrator's office.
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