City approves spending up to $37,000 to demolish barber shop

The Glencoe City Council overrode a suggestion from Mayor Randy Wilson and the chamber’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) and approved up to $37,000 for the demolition of the Denny’s Barber Shop building on Greeley Avenue.
The decision came after the city received cost estimates for the work. The demolition costs came in at about $21,000; the inspection of the building was $3,900; the abatement removal costs of items like asbestos were about $11,000; and another $3,500 was estimated for disposal of appliances and other goods from the building. The total estimate was about $37,000.
Wilson and the EDC indicated the city should not foot the entire bill for removing the building, which was condemned for occupancy late last year. The building is currently owned by Dennis Wendlandt, who sought city assistance after the building was condemned.
Wilson suggested not more than $30,000 be invested by the city, while the EDC members agreed with some city participation, “but the city should definitely not pay 100 percent,” said Dave Nelson, chamber president, of the EDC discussions. The EDC cited no economic development benefit or tax base enhancement on the narrow lot with the city’s participation in the demolition costs, although it would remove a blight issue or an environmental concern.

For more, see the Feb. 4 print edition of The Chronicle.