Decatur taxpayers will spend $345,000 to demolish former YWCA building

The former YWCA building at the SE corner of N. Main St. and E. Eldorado St. has been vacant and in a state of disrepair for decades.? It has not had active utilities for many years and water was terminated in 2005.? The brick fa?ade on the north wall of the building is starting to collapse on to the city sidewalk which was subsequently closed as a safety precaution.? The building will need to be demolished, but to date the owners of the building have not done so even though they may have the financial means.? Thus, Decatur taxpayers will be forced to pay $345,000 to demolish the building and have already paid $249,000 to remove asbestos.?

As written in the council memo from the April 1 meeting when asbestos remediation was approved, “The fact these local owners, with the means to clean up their own property, refuse to do so is an offense to Decatur taxpayers who may ultimately be left with the bill.? The city will, therefore, pursue all legal remedies to obtain compensation for public expenditures needed to clean up this private mess.? After the asbestos is removed, the buildings will need to be demolished and cleared.”

Months-long negotiations with the owners appear to be fruitless.? According to the council memo associated with the upcoming August 5 meeting, “The City has, without success, repeatedly insisted that the building’s owners abate these hazards and be responsible stewards of their property. The city continues to explore all legal remedies to obtain cost recovery for public expenditures for asbestos abatement and demolition of this dangerous structure. However, it is prudent that demolition be completed prior to initiating such legal process, to remove the hazard in a timely manner.”

Property owners must be held financially accountable for their properties, and Decatur taxpayers should not have to spend $594,000 to remove asbestos and demolish a building they do not own.? It could be argued that the owners have not only damaged their personal reputation by not taking care of their property, but Decatur’s reputation is tarnished when the first building one sees when they enter our downtown is delipidated.? Finally, there is an abundance of burnt down houses in the city’s neighborhoods that need to be cleared as they are safety hazards for residents.? It is unclear why the city would spend ~$600,000 to demolish a building where the local owners may have the financial means, thereby leaving fewer resources to reduce safety hazards in our neighborhoods.?

PLEASE EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS AT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The next city council meeting will take place on Monday, August 5 at 5:30 PM in the council chambers located on the third floor of the Decatur Civic Center (1 Gary K. Anderson Place).? Free parking is available in the lot immediately south of the entrance.? Citizens are encouraged to attend meetings and express their views.? Citizens are allotted 3 minutes per person near the beginning of each city council meeting.? In addition, citizens can provide comments regarding one regular agenda item per meeting for up to three minutes provided they notify the city in advance (and prior to the start of the meeting).? You can request to speak on a particular agenda item at a council meeting by filling out an on-line form at: https://www.decaturil.gov/FormCenter/Mayor-Council-11/Advance-Request-to-Speak-at-Council-Meet-60.

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If you would like to discuss city issues with a council member, phone numbers and email addresses for each council member can be found at the following link: https://www.decaturil.gov/300/Mayor-Council.