City continues suit over East Depot demolition

Despite foreclosure on a piece of property on East Depot Street where the city demolished a building two years ago, Shelbyville will continue to pursue a lawsuit against its owner to recover costs.

City attorney Ginger Shofner stated that there would be no change in the suit against Alice Albrecht, the owner of 109 East Depot St., who owned one of two buildings brought down in late 2008.

A notice was published in the T-G last week stating that the property in question was being foreclosed on by First Community Bank of Bedford County.

But Shofner said that even though Albrecht had defaulted on the property, the suit would continue. The foreclosure notice indicated that the city "may claim an interest" in the property.

The city is suing Albrecht for costs associated with the razing and restoration of the site on East Depot in 2008 totalling $225,215, where two buildings once stood near the public square.

The building at 113 East Depot was damaged during the demolition of Albrecht's property at 109 East Depot, which was considered a dangerous structure by codes officials and engineers hired by the city to inspect it.

Contractors and engineers said at the time it would cost over $200,000 to repair 113 East Depot and bring up to code, so the council voted to tear it down as well.

Last July, Shofner told Shelbyville's city council that Albrecht's insurance company has denied her claim on the building and that she had decided to pursue litigation against them.

Shofner told the council at that time that the city could "sit on" the lawsuit until Albrecht's legal action against her insurance company was resolved.