Jefferson City Council votes to demolish four dilapidated buildings

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Council voted Monday to give a contract to demolish four "dangerous" buildings, including some in the East Capitol Avenue area.

Council members voted unanimously to pass the bill.

The city will demolish all properties at 410 E. Hess Way, 320 E. Miller St., 417 E. Capitol Ave., and 528 E. Capitol Ave./202 Marshall St.

Mid-Mo Earth Movers provided the lowest bid at $147,609, according to documents provided to the council.

The city says the buildings are being removed because they pose a health hazard. The city held a hearing to reach that conclusion.

The city's property maintenance and enforcement supervisor, David Helmick said the homes are qualified to be demolished because they're in stages of decay, deterioration or they're structurally unsound and unsanitary. Helmick said the process of demolishing the properties starts with a phone call to the city's property maintenance by the fire department, police departments, and sometimes family or senior services.

Shana Enloe, a resident in Jefferson city said she thinks that demolishing the buildings is a good idea. Enloe said, "They can build some really pretty apartments or houses that people can live in. They can make this block a little bit nicer".

The city will try to get reimbursement from the property owners after the demolitions and will issue a tax lien to get money back if the owner doesn't pay.

City Administrator Steve Crowell said in council documents that the properties are not occupied.