Process paused

Local officials made clear that something needs to be done about the former Hunt’s building.

But demolition is not imminent, yet.

Portland Board of Works held off on awarding a bid for the demolition of the building during a special meeting Tuesday, agreeing to give Portland Redevelopment Commission some time to potentially develop a plan to save the structure.

Ed Curtin, a consultant with CWC Lattitudes who assists the redevelopment commission, visited Portland City Council’s meeting Monday night to ask that the city wait to award a bid for the demolition of the building. (The structure was declared unsafe in August and bids to tear it down were opened during the board of works’ regular Oct. 5 meeting. The board had been slated to vote to award a contract Tuesday.)

While no one from the redevelopment commission attended the meeting Tuesday, its president, Rusty Inman, sent a letter to board of works members Jerry Leonhard, Steve McIntosh and Mayor John Boggs requesting that the process toward demolition be paused. He indicated that a meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10 to look at the building and discuss possibilities. If the group finds it feasible to attempt to rehabilitate the building, it would seek to have a plan two weeks later.

“I urge you to consider the long-term benefits of preserving these historic structures and the potential positive impact it could have on our community’s assessed value and tax base,” said Inman in the letter. “A delay in demolition will allow for a thorough and thoughtful evaluation of all options available, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of preservation.”

Travis Richards, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation, and LeeAnn Miller, who is renovating an adjacent building to become the home of her interior design business, were in attendance to support the redevelopment commission’s request.

Clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips spoke to Wes Schemenaur, who represents both the board of works and the redevelopment commission as city attorney. She relayed the message that he is comfortable with waiting a few weeks to allow the redevelopment commission time to potentially put together a plan.

McIntosh expressed skepticism about the possibility of saving the building, questioning the integrity of the exterior brick walls. He suggested focusing city funds on other downtown buildings that are also vacant but in better shape.

“I’m not in favor of tearing buildings down,” said McIntosh. “But if I owned that building, it would come down. I would have to tear it down before I would dump money down and try to fix it, because it scares me.”

He also questioned the timing of the redevelopment commission’s request, pointing out that the process toward demolishing the building began when it was declared unsafe in early August.

“Where was the concern back when we started discussing it?” said McIntosh.

John Hemmelgarn of Jay/Portland Building and Planning said he does not have a problem with giving the redevelopment commission some time to develop a plan. But he also said the building could be a “money pit,” as it has a leaking roof and interior that’s caving in. He said a structural engineer should be involved in the decision-making process.

He also said if the redevelopment commission chooses to take on the project, it will need to be barricaded for the winter in order to prevent injury.

Bids for demolition of the structure opened earlier this month were $249,000 from JAShroyer Group of Muncie and $150,000 from WEU of Portland. Phillips noted Tuesday that WEU does not have the required credentials and certificate of liability insurance to handle the job. She said JAShroyer has also agreed to reduce its number to $189,000 because it will already be in the city for other work. (The firm was awarded the contract to demolish The Bailey Building at the southwest corner of Main and Commerce streets.)

Miller asked about the city’s financial responsibility for securing and weatherproofing her building’s shared wall with the former Hunt’s building if it is torn down. Phillips indicated that the city would share some financial responsibility, but said Schemenaur has suggested a “wait-and-see” approach.

The board also discussed the pending demolition of The Bailey Building after Eric Welch, attorney for the adjacent The Greazy Pickle, expressed concern about the timeline for the demolition. The contract requires that the work begin within 30 days of the contract being awarded (Oct. 5). When work begins, it must be complete within 10 days.

Welch suggested extending the timeline and said he wants to make sure all parties are on the same page before the work begins. (The city and The Greazy Pickle are working out details of an agreement.) He added that he’d like a structural engineer to be on site when work nears the shared wall between the Bailey Building and The Greazy Pickle. (Boggs suggested the city utilize Wessler Engineering, which has worked with the city and is familiar with the building.)

The board scheduled another special meeting for 4 p.m. Oct. 27 to review the project with representatives from JAShroyer and The Greazy Pickle and to consider an extension of the timeline.