Bonduel wants repairs to downtown building

The owner of Shawano’s controversial Wisconsin House Inn is coming under scrutiny for a property he owns in downtown Bonduel.

Bonduel village leaders are considering taking action to force property owner Keith Block to make repairs to his commercial and residential building at 101 E. Green Bay St.

The nearly vacant structure stands in the center of Bonduel’s main business district in what village officials describe as a state of disrepair and structural hazard.

Village President Sharon Wussow said the property has previously housed an ice cream shop, a sporting goods store and other attractions.

“It has a lot of history to it,” Wussow said. “Too bad it wasn’t taken care of.”

The Village Board soon will consider giving Block a deadline to fix up the two-story property or possibly face demolition.

The city of Shawano has similarly pushed Block to make repairs and operational changes at the Wisconsin House Inn under the threat that the hotel otherwise could be bulldozed.

Contacted by telephone Friday, Block said he had just learned about concerns surrounding his Bonduel property. He pledged to complete repairs as quickly as possible, saying he already started looking for a contractor.

“I’m there to fix the issues,” he said.

Block attributed the building’s problems to a concrete wall that is leaking, but he said it could take months to get a contractor on the job. He said he disagrees that the troubles are serious enough to warrant possible demolition of the building.

“I believe it should be salvaged,” he said.

Village officials said they have examined the property’s interior and exterior, and they are concerned about both the living conditions inside and the structural safety.

Village Trustee Luka Zischka said the building looks like it could be unstable enough to pose a risk to neighboring buildings. He also said the issue with Block has come up at a time when Bonduel civic leaders are working to improve the image of their downtown business district.

“We’re moving in that direction,” Zischka said. “This is just one step.”

Situated at the northeast corner of Green Bay Street and Cecil Street, the building arousing concerns has vacant storefronts on the first floor, with a for rent sign in the window. There are several apartments upstairs, although only one apartment is occupied.

Lance Ihlenfeld, who lives in the apartment with his parents, said the family pays $400 a month for a two-bedroom apartment. The family has been there for 11 years, and has been trying unsuccessfully to persuade Block to fix a clogged drain, a leaky roof, defective electrical outlets and a mold problem.

“He stops by and collects the rent — that’s it,” Ihlenfeld said.

Aware that village officials are considering bulldozing the building, the Ihlenfelds already are making plans to move.

“I would just say knock it down at this point,” Ihlenfeld said. “There ain’t no way he’s fixing it up.”

The city of Shawano last year took Block to court over conditions at the Wisconsin House Inn, 216 E. Green Bay St., which the city described as a public nuisance. The hotel had become the site of numerous police complaints involving drug activity, thefts and other disturbances.

Block at the time agreed to make numerous improvements in the appearance and operation of the hotel. The two sides are due back in court next month to update a judge on how well Block has fulfilled those promises, or whether the city can take further steps toward demolition.

Bonduel village attorney Tim Schmid — who also represents the city of Shawano in its case against Block — said the village must first have the building inspected and then give Block an opportunity to address any issues. A property owner typically gets 30 days or 60 days to comply with such an order.

Although the village could have authority to bulldoze a neglected property, Schmid said, “There are steps that need to be taken.”