Mayor hopes to rebid project soon

The mayor hopes to be able to seek bids to remove a dilapidated downtown structure soon.

Mayor John Boggs told Portland City Council on Monday that the city has received one report and is expecting another soon on the Bailey Building at the southwest corner of Main and Commerce streets in Portland.

He also provided updates on upcoming construction projects.

Boggs said the city has received the results of the Phase I environmental study on the property. He added that an asbestos contamination report is expected soon.

Once those reports are both in hand, he said, the city can begin soliciting bids to demolish the structure.

The Bailey Building, which has fallen into disrepair, has been a topic of discussion for years, with Portland Board of Works seeking bids to demolish it earlier this year. The two bids the city received came in at $187,500 and $539,372.23, with board of works members expressing concern about the wide gap.

Bid specifications called for demolition of the building while preserving “the integrity of the remaining buildings on the block,” which include The Greazy Pickle bar and restaurant. The timeline required that demolition begin within 14 days of the project being awarded.

The board ultimately decided to wait for the results of the environmental study and asbestos investigation before moving forward.

Answering a question from council member Dave Golden, Boggs reminded council that a portion of Indiana 26 (Water Street) will close beginning June 26 for the replacement of the bridge over the Salamonie River on the eastern edge of the city.

He added that construction on the Meridian Street storm sewer project is expected to begin shortly after. (It will start between the Meridian Street bridge over the Salamonie River and Water Street, with that section requiring a road closure. Crews will then move north on a block-by-block basis, maintaining traffic for the remainder of the project.)

Boggs also reported that environmental testing is expected to begin soon at the former Sheller-Globe south property, 510 S. Bridge St. Depending on those test results, the city could be able to request permission to transfer the property to Chad Fifer. (He was selected as the winning bidder for the property in September and plans to use the site for a sawmill.)

In other business, council members Kent McClung, Janet Powers, Don Gillespie, Mike Aker, Matt Goldsworthy, Michele Brewster and Golden:

•Heard from Boggs about the success of the new Local’s Market held Saturday on Main Street between Meridian and Harrison streets. The market will continue each Saturday through October. The mayor noted that some minor adjustments will be made to traffic to ensure safety.

•Approved a request from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to close Walnut Street in front of the church from 3 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 6. An Oktoberfest celebration is planned for 5 to 11 p.m. that day.

•OK’d Boggs’ appointment Hannah Long to a second term on Portland Historic Preservation Commission.