The Jefferson City Council on Monday voted to approve the demolition of a Capitol Avenue property considered dangerous by the city.
The council approved a $87,849 demolition contract with Premier Demolition for the demolition of 519 Capitol Ave., a property owned by Barbara Buescher.
The 519 Capitol Ave. structure has been listed on the city's dangerous buildings list since November 2019, said Sonny Sanders, director of the city's Planning and Protective Services Department.
The building was damaged by the May 22, 2019, tornado. Defects listed in the dangerous building summary include severe structural damage and the property being unsecured, leading to trespassing and illegal activities.
The city went through the dangerous building process earlier this year. After city inspection, it was recommended the structure be demolished.
"It is literally collapsing and falling down, and we feel it's important to take this structure down as soon as possible," Sanders said.
The council also approved a supplemental appropriation of $12,602 to pay for the demolition contract.
Story continues below council meeting video.
The council previously approved the use of $75,000 in demolition funds for the property, but after completing the bid process the lowest bid was still higher, leading to the need for more funds.
Once the building is demolished, the property owner will have the chance to reimburse the city for the demolition costs. If the city is not reimbursed, a special tax lien will be placed on the property, and the city can pursue reimbursement through legal actions.
In other business, staff also introduced a bill to approve a preliminary Planned Unit Development plan at 311 Bolivar St. for a roastery and retail coffee shop.
The 0.38 property is the proposed site of a 2,500-square-foot, two-story building. The PUD plan outlines the site design with a main parking lot accessed from Bolivar Street and smaller parking area accessed by the alley on the northern side of the property.
The 311 Bolivar St. building is located at the corner of Bolivar and West McCarty streets.
The property owner is Oakbrook Properties LLC.
The city's Planning and Zoning Commission approved the application at their September meeting.
Jeff Schaeperkoetter, with Oakbrook Properties LLC, presented the plan to the commission, and asked for approval of the site plan. The lot is already zoned as PUD, meaning it does not need to be rezoned.