Acquisition and demo of Main Street buildings moves forward

After nearly two years of discussion, the four buildings on Main Street in Silver Lake will soon be coming down.
The Silver Lake City Council on Monday night passed a resolution to authorize City Clerk Jon Jerabek and Acting Mayor Nolan Johnson to execute the final sale documents for the purchase of the building owned by Sumter Mutual Insurance for $22,000. The sale is anticipated to be finalized by Oct. 1.
The council learned that the eminent domain process has been completed in the acquisition of the property owned by Mayor Bruce Bebo. The acquisition will take place on Oct. 1.
The city used the eminent domain process to avoid any conflict of interest between the city and the mayor. Since the paperwork has been finalized, there is no longer a conflict of interest.
The council also passed a resolution deeming the four structures structurally substandard as a formality. The inspection was performed by Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH), Inc., the city’s engineering consulting firm.
The council also passed a third resolution authorizing an interfund loan for the advance of costs in connection with the acquisition and demolition of the four buildings.
The amount of the loan will be $200,000, which will come from the water fund.
Jerabek said he has received the preliminary specifications, which he anticipates to have finalized for the council by the Oct. 2 quarterly meeting.
For more from Monday evening's meeting, see the Sept. 20 print edition of The Chronicle.