Yorkton Council decided in June to demolish all the buildings at the old flour mill site except for the mill building itself.
At the June 14 meeting of Council City Clerk Bonny Schenher said a visual appraisal of the property took place in May. Following the inspection the facility was discussed.
"It is our opinion that significant deterioration has occurred especially to the elevator. This deterioration presents major safety concerns and serious consideration of the fact that the building is past the point of 小蓝视频 economically feasible to repair," she said then.
Another development with the property took place in May when the City took title to the property through the Tax Enforcement Process, said Schenher.
"As owners, Council has the full right to decide what we would like to do with any buildings on this property," she said.
As a result Schenher said it was recommended work be undertaken.
"We request that Council consider tendering the demolition of all the buildings except the old mill portion.
When the site is cleaned the property will be tendered for sale. The likelihood of someone purchasing the site and retrofitting the mill building would be greater once the rest of the site is cleaned up. The parcel of land is approximately 1.5 acres in size and there is potential to sub-divide the land to provide for a parcel with the Mill on it and a bare land parcel for commercial development," she said.
However, at least one person thinks the other buildings have value, can be saved, and is interested in taking on the project.
Ian Hildebrand, owner of Red Man Mechanical Inc. met with Yorkton This Week recently in an attempt to make his interest in utilizing the entire property public in the hopes that will help build support and keep Yorkton Council from proceeding to the demolition tender.
Hildebrand explained that his business has been based in Medicine Hat, but he is expanding to Yorkton."I've got some friends that grew up here, people I met in Medicine Hat," he said, adding on their recommendation he came looking at what opportunities there might be in Yorkton.
"When I was here I did a personal assessment of what's going on," he said, adding he saw lots of construction, as well as older homes which might well need plumbing and heating upgrades. That combination made Yorkton attractive to expand to.
"Things are picking up here. I thought I better get in here before the gold rush," he said.
It was while he was driving around the city Hildebrand saw the old mill property, and quickly envisioned it as a location for his business, as well as additional business options.
Hildebrand said he has always been a proponent of utilizing "the abandoned or neglected," adding he appreciates old buildings. "I'm a lover of wood and craftsmanship."
Having seen the property in April, Hildebrand said he went straight to City Hall, where he talked to City Treasurer Lonnie Kaal, who explained at the time the City did not yet have title to the property, but once the paperwork was complete, the property would be for sale.
However, once the City had title, Hildebrand said he was then told "Council was going to discuss it," which led to their decision to tender demolition.
While Council was told the buildings to be demolished were beyond repair, Hildebrand is convinced that is not the case.
"They're structurally sound. I know that because of my experience," he said.
Hildebrand said he has been told demolition costs are 小蓝视频 anticipated of more than $100,000, money he said the City does not need to spend, if they make a deal with him for the property.
"I don't want to demolish the building. For the most part I want to refund and restore the property," he said.
While City officials have pointed out others have made similar claims over the last 15 years regarding the property, Hildebrand said he understands why that has been the case.
"It's not feasible if you have to have a contractor," he said, adding that as a contractor he can do much of the work himself, investing sweat equity, not cash, and when he purchases supplies he will be doing that at "thirty per cent below retail."
Hildebrand said the first step in fresh siding, so the buildings are "no longer an eyesore."
After that he can work inside, reiterating the structures are sound. The main building, as example has a 12-inch foundation of concrete and field stone.
"It will stand for another 150 years. It can't come down," he said, adding in the plumbing and heating business he basically needs storage and the building would be ideal.
The other two buildings are also sound, he ensured.
"There's no rotten wood anyplace in the three buildings," he said.
There's even a two million BTU boiler on site, that while "full of surface rust," could be brought back to life for a few thousand dollars.
"There's enough capacity to heat all three buildings, hands down," he said.
Hildebrand said he envisions using the other buildings for what would be essentially truckers hostile, simple rooms, with access to a common kitchen, and washer and dryer area.
The tenders are scheduled to go out Sept. 15, said Hildebrand who will appear before Council at its Sept. 13 meeting, although as a property matter, it may be In-Camera, which means closed to the public and media.
