The building was first thought to be in danger of collapse and the city was considering an emergency demolition, but Corporation Counsel Dan Williamson said owner Dexter Humphrey has agreed to assume responsibility for the building and has submitted a structural engineer's report in support of his plan to save it. However, Hellwig said there have been some "false starts" in taking action.
Councilman Cory Storch asked when the street will be open to traffic, as merchants on the north side of the streets have been unable to do business since Dec. 17. Hellwig said vehicles will be permitted once the building is "structurally secured."
Williamson said officials had a "very straightforward conversation" with the owner about businesses losing money and the city spending money. The site has been under 24-hour police guard since Dec. 17. Hellwig said he has been keeping a running tab of city costs and they will be passed along to the owner.
If the owner does not act within a day or two, Williamson said, officials have talked about taking over the project.
--Bernice
You know why this city borders on pathetic? it is because there is no leadership, motivation, or smarts in its ranks.
ReplyDelete"If the owner does not act within a day or two, Williamson said, officials have talked about taking over the project."
What business do we have taking over the project? Shouldn't the owner be responsibile and made to complete the project? The answer is Yes, and instead of taking over the project, get the owner to comply. Let's be foreful and creative in getting things done.
We give up - that is apparently Plainfield's way with dealing with everything - throw your hands up - state loudly "That's the way it is" or "That's Plainfield", and then complain about how nothing gets done.
Come on people - wake up and start demanding action and let's get those who do not have Plainfield's interest at heart (including thugs and felons who are still committing crimes) out of here. Time for a new Plainfield.
Im glad to see they were able to make contact with the owner, but first and foremost, before they make Ovetters another 200K in demo fees, get the man to board up and secure the building. If he plans to make repairs and keep it, thats great, but it is many months away from happening. Engineers have to crawl through the rubble to make a plan. Permits secured, contractors hired, etc etc. Its a process. It is actually faster and cheaper to simply tear it down and build new. A new building can be built to replicate what is there now. The building is not going anywhere anytime soon. It is not going to collapse outwards. Move the fence, sweep the street and reopen the road. TODAY! The business owners and commuters have suffered enough already.
ReplyDeleteThe City to take over the project?? I would assume the only reason for that is for a core group of city big-wigs to make some self-serving financial gains from back room deals.
ReplyDeleteThis administration can't even keep up with its daily duties, like keeping the streets clean, controlling crime and bringing in some business to the city.
In this case the owner is willing to take responsibility, let him do so. It's a novelty in Plainfield when someone takes responsibility for their property, especially downtown, instead of looking for a handout.
The city doesn't need to get involved to create a bigger mess, which they sure will, like everything else they touch!