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CLEANING HOUSE

IN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA

Council voted 4-1 on May 22nd to authorize the demolition of four city-owned homes/properties in downtown Victoria. One is located next to the Victoria Post Office. Three others are located adjacent to each other on Quamoclit, across from the bank drive-thru. They were purchased by the city several years ago and are boarded up. Public Works Director Bruce Osborn said the demolition and restoration project should be completed by July 2nd.

Low bid for demolition was $38,000 from Olson Construction. It includes restoration, grading, and seeding. The Fire Department is not taking the homes down in a “practice burn,” according to Bruce Osborn, also a Victoria Firefighter, because it would scorch trees in the vicinity.

There was hesitation to demolish the properties because of the potential loss of tax increment financing. If a $1 million project were proposed for the area, the city would be eligible for $280,000 toward improvements to infrastructure.

Councilmember Jim Paulsen referred to safety issues related to asbestos and said, “Take ‘em all down.” Councilmember Tim Amundsen stated, “There is much unknown right now. Nobody is in imminent danger.” He voted against demolition at this time.

But Councilmember Richard Tieden said, “A point has been made. They’re a hazard. It’s a responsible thing to do ... Certainly we’ve got to sell the properties within three years, and then we’ll get that $280,000.” If a new TIF district is created, new possibilities are created, and that is the city’s intent.

Said Mayor Mary Thun, “I don’t see the economy coming back until at least 2010. There will also be a point when C.H. Carpenter’s building will fall apart. It’s been closed three years or more. It’s time to do something.” She asked staff to look at the Carpenter building. Bruce Osborn said there has been vandalism.

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