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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Clean-up crusade continues

Blight houses in crosshairs for demolition

Keith Vandervort
Posted 6/30/16

ELY – The Ely City Council continued their crusade to clean up the city this week as they met in a study session to consider the condition of several blight houses within the city limits.

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Clean-up crusade continues

Blight houses in crosshairs for demolition

Posted

ELY – The Ely City Council continued their crusade to clean up the city this week as they met in a study session to consider the condition of several blight houses within the city limits.

City officials are also considering ways to alleviate the seasonal increase in illegal trash dumping around town and at the recycling center.

Building official Doug Whitney recommended to council members that as many as seven residential properties be demolished and removed or at least undergo major clean up and hazard abatement procedures.

The city is required to investigate all complaints received about potential blight conditions.

Before the bulldozers roll into town, the city must follow due process procedures, including conducting public hearings, providing written notice to the building owners and allowing for timely hazard abatement of the dwelling, and obtaining a court order to raze any building. The process is often lengthy and expensive for both the city and property owner.

“The buildings are unsafe due to the fire, electrical and health hazards and are dangerous to human life,” Whitney said in the summary of each inspection report. “The buildings are an overall hazard to safety, health of the public welfare by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, fire hazard, damage and abandonment.” In most cases, the buildings have been unoccupied for several years.

The blight properties under consideration are listed below.

‰ 327 East Chapman St. – Owners: S&S Sisters Trust, Memphis, Tenn., Bonita A. Edlund, Lakeville, Minn. Description highlights: The dwelling has been vacant for about 10 years. The rear door was removed. The building is infested with unknown animals. Frozen and broken water lines have caused extensive damage to the interior. Water has permeated the structure. Ceilings have collapsed. The roof leaks and has a large hole near the chimney. The fascia and soffits are falling off. The building is filled with garbage and debris. The exterior is in a state of disrepair. The windows are rotted. The foundation has failed and is tipping in.

‰726 East Camp St. – Owners: Ryan T. and Emily Jo Quick, Embarrass. Description highlights: This four-unit apartment building was secured but vacated. The property has been neglected for several years. The apartment building does not have the required rental license. The building has suffered from years of absence of any maintenance and suffered from dilapidation. The siding is damaged. The foundation has deteriorated and collapsed in several areas. Doors and windows are in disrepair. The property has known electrical problems.

‰21 West Shagawa Rd. – Owners: Brian and Michele Sherwood, Ely. Description highlights: The building and property have suffered inadequate maintenance, physical deterioration, dilapidation and are fire hazards. The exterior has holes, breaks, major portions of loose or rotting boards and major portions of falling or loose siding. The building and property are filled with personal property, junk, trash and debris. The property contains abandoned or junk vehicles. The property has suffered from overall neglect. The roof is blowing on to adjoining properties.

‰1355 North 19th Ave. East – Owners: Shirley Bautsch, Spring, Texas. Description highlights: The building has been vacant for several years. The property has been abandoned. The basement has three to four feet of water and sewage. Water has caused extensive damage to the interior of the building. The dwelling and detached garage have suffered from inadequate maintenance and overall dilapidation.

‰1811 East Chapman St. – Owners: Sheila Phelps and Mary L. Korpela, Ely. Description highlights: The property is unsecured and has been abandoned for years. The building has suffered from years of dilapidation and absence of any maintenance. The roof has caved in. The floor is rotting and failing. The property and dwelling are overgrown with brush. The building is open to animal infestation.

‰145 East Harvey St. – Owners: Dale V. and Michelle A. Rever, Ely. Description highlights: The property is being rented without a current rental license. The chimney is venting through the roof flashing. Garbage is overflowing and not being removed. The buildings are suffering from inadequate maintenance and overall dilapidation.

‰730 East Madison St. – Owners: Kathleen M. Hanson, Ely. Description highlights: The building has been neglected for years and suffers from absence of any maintenance and dilapidation. The roofing has failed. The soffit has deteriorated. The siding has suffered from inadequate maintenance. Doors and windows are in a state of disrepair. The property is filled with garbage and debris. The property and dwelling are overgrown with brush.

The cost to raze the buildings can be assessed against the property. “State statute requires that the assessment be paid in up to five yearly installments at eight-percent interest,” Whitney said.

The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board’s Residential Redevelopment Program funds may available to reduce the costs to be assessed against the property. The city and homeowner are responsible for all expenses not eligible for reimbursement by the IRRRB, including administrative costs, property title, legal fees and grant-writing expenses.