Final costs expected soon on Depot Street project

Final figures on the total costs of last year's demolition of buildings on East Depot Street should be ready next month so that the city will able to seek recovery costs through litigation.

The building at 113 E. Depot was damaged last year during the demolition of 109 E. Depot, which was considered a dangerous structure, and contractors and engineers said at the time it would cost over $200,000 to repair it and bring up to code, so the council voted to tear it down as well.

The city intends to file a suit against Alice Albrecht, the owner of 109 E. Depot, to recover the costs of the demolition and damage to adjoining businesses, which is running close to $224,000.

However, city manager Ed Craig said the figures for the demolition costs have still not been finalized due to an unresolved issue with a damaged central heat and air unit belonging to Nancy June Brandon, which Craig described as "cosmetic damage."

The heating unit is 20 years old and parts can not be found for the model. Craig also said the city was also waiting to see what the costs will be for repairing a stone wall owned by Brandon.

City attorney Ginger Shofner said she can not go forward with any litigation against Albrecht until all the figures have been made final.

According to figures given to the city council, tearing down 109 E. Depot cost $65,620, while the purchase of 113 E. Depot from Wayne Hix cost Shelbyville $82,502.

Demolition of that structure cost the city an additional $42,067.88, which included stabilizing the adjacent roof system. Building a party wall for another adjoining building cost $20,895.64.

Site restoration materials ran $1,295.87, and labor and equipment for the job, which included 90 city worker man hours, cost Shelbyville $5,387.40.

Damage totaling $3,470 was done to a heating unit owned by Hix and there was also damage to an awning owned by Jennifer Jordan, costing $358.37, including four city worker man hours.

Also, there was damage to an electrical meter and riser behind Dancy's totalling $253.22. Legal costs to date over the matter have totalled $2,128.