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Ely to buy abandoned Ford garage

Proposals sought for development in neighborhood

Keith Vandervort
Posted 12/3/15

ELY – The Ely City Council continued their discussion this week on what to do about a former commercial garage that has been an eyesore in a residential area for many years. A recent public hearing …

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Ely to buy abandoned Ford garage

Proposals sought for development in neighborhood

Posted

ELY – The Ely City Council continued their discussion this week on what to do about a former commercial garage that has been an eyesore in a residential area for many years. A recent public hearing brought forth several competing visions on what many call an embarrassment to the city.

Council members took the first step in acquiring the property by authorizing City Attorney Kelly Klun to complete the city’s purchase from the owner for about $3,000 in back taxes.

“This has been an ongoing project for many years,” said Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski. “The current owner, who lives in Chicago, had some plans for the property to make it into a residence for his family when they came to visit. Those plans didn’t move forward. We’ve worked with him with limited success concerning blight and security.”

Langowski said extensive tuck-pointing was completed on the brick walls and a fence was installed in the back to keep the structure secure. “The city has had to mow the grass and re-secure the doors many times. Part of the roof has been missing for many years,” he said.

Langowski said the property taxes are “a bit behind” but not enough for St. Louis County to initiate forfeiture procedures.

Missouri-based developer John Ott offered to buy the property for $5,000 last summer when the city advertised for proposals.

Mayor Chuck Novak suggested that the city’s economic developer work with Ott to determine his plans for developing the site, which consists of four adjacent lots at the corner of First Avenue East and Conan Street.

“The buildings have masonry exteriors that are worth preserving and would be a starting point for a construction project that in the long run would serve the neighborhood and community,” Ott said in his proposal. “Our plan would be to improve the buildings for light use such as a medical or dental office, exercise studio or residential use.”

Langowsi said he had a recent conversation with the Otts and they are still interested in acquiring the property. He also said another person recently expressed an interest in buying the property and putting up a new garage for classic car storage.

Jerome Debeltz’s motion to move the matter to the Ely Economic Development Authority for further discussion with Ott to determine his plans for developing the site failed on a 4-3 vote.

In voting against the motion, council member Paul Kess, said, “We might be getting the cart ahead of the horse. We haven’t determined what we want to do with that space,” he said.

At the study session last week, Paul’s brother, David Kess, who lives at 105 E. Conan St. said his family has lived in the neighborhood for more than 100 years. “We have looked at this eyesore for a really long time,” he said. “It is time to move forward and not keep pushing this to the back burner and hoping it will go away.”

He conducted an informal survey of more than a dozen neighbors, and a majority wanted to see the property developed only for residential use.

Sally Koski has lived in the neighborhood since July. “It was an eyesore back when I was in high school and it hasn’t changed,” she said. “Parking is currently an issue in this residential area. If you are looking at making it a commercial type of zoning, the parking issue will need to be addressed. In addition, we have a number of young people and senior citizens who walk by and I am concerned about potential safety issues if this land becomes commercial.”

The city could also demolish the dilapidated buildings, at an estimated cost of about $70,000, and look for a developer to build residential housing. Paul Kess said, “A $75,000 cost to the city to demolish the garage should not be an obstacle. When the residents in that area say they want (residential development) we really have to listen to that.”

Langowski offered to contact Ott to determine his schedule for improving the property if he should acquire it. “We have an offer on the table,” he said. “Either we reject that offer, ask for more detailed plans from him, or open it up and ask for more proposals. (Ott) can make his proposal again and provide the details that we are looking for.”

Council member Heidi Omerza said she “had no appetite” to spend $70,000 to demolish the building without a detailed development plan for the property.

Council member Kara Polyner said she agreed that it is not fair to Ott to have the city ask for his plans when a decision has not been made on what to do with the property. “In fairness to him we should reject his offer and reopen for proposals,” she said.

Council member Albert Forsman made a motion to reject Ott’s proposal at this time and have the city advertise again for development proposals for the site. “It is my intent to allow proposals to make sure we have a defined timeline for improvement to the property,” he said.

That motion passed. Development proposals for the site should be submitted to City Hall by Jan. 18, 2016.

Officer Carlson

Mayor Novak initiated a discussion, not on the agenda, in regard to City Police Officer Jason Carlson.

Carlson stands accused of sexual misconduct and remains on paid administrative leave awaiting a court trial.

“I want the city to direct our attorney to do an investigation of Officer Carlson,” Novak said. The motion passed unanimously.

“We are going to seek out data,” Klun said. ”In order for the city to move toward any termination, or in essence, remove him from paid leave, we do need that data and the only way to get that at this point is to perform our own investigation,” she said.

Carlson was indicted earlier this month for allegedly engaging in sexual contact with a girl under the age of 18. He declined last month to negotiate a structured resignation agreement with the city, and has been on paid administrative leave since the allegations came to light last April. The 10-year veteran is paid $27.26 per hour, plus health and other benefits.

A jury trial would likely start sometime next spring or summer.