Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
The Shawano Redevelopment Authority reported progress Thursday in addressing two downtown properties owned by the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology, though SIST has yet to submit plans showing how those blighted buildings will be repaired.
One of the vacant properties, at 214 S. Main St., was inspected in May by health and safety officials who reported significant water damage, mold and structural problems.
City Zoning Administrator Brian Bunke said the owners had recently begun bringing building materials into the property to address some of the issues, but a previously issued building permit had already lapsed and a new one was needed.
A state inspector and engineer will also have to assess the property, but, Bunke said, roofing in at least one area of the building will need to be repaired first.
“The way it’s set up right now, they’re afraid to walk into that area and assess anything,” he said.
Assistant City Administrator Eddie Sheppard said SIST had been given a 30-day notice to submit remediation plans for the property, but “we may extend that a little bit while we figure these things out.”
He said the city would continue to monitor progress at the building and communication with SIST on the property is ongoing.
The RDA also discussed the vacant SIST property at 143 S. Main St., which is also targeted for blighted conditions including mold and water damage.
Bunke said a 30-day notice requiring an action plan was also issued to SIST on that property and a response was expected by Feb. 17. So far, there’s been no response.
“I haven’t heard a thing,” Bunke said.
Meanwhile, plans to raze the vacant Ponderosa restaurant at 1247 E. Green Bay St. seem to be moving forward.
The former SIST property was purchased at a foreclosure sale in June by VDG LLC.
Sheppard said the new owners have taken out a permit to relocate gas service at the property.
“Typically that’s the indicator that they intend to take the building down,” he said.
VDG told the RDA last month that they planned to raze the building if the property couldn’t be sold for a sufficient price.
Sheppard said letters went out Jan. 26 to 30 property owners whose properties are on the RDA’s priority list.
The letters detailed the purpose of the RDA and the funding available for assistance to address blight concerns.
Sheppard said the city has heard back from about 10 of those property owners and the responses have been positive.
He said the city has also heard from other property owners interested in seeing if there might be assistance available from the RDA.
“We’re also getting a lot of people who, once they find out about RDA, are saying, ‘I have been thinking about this, how would I approach the RDA?’” Sheppard said.
He said he expected to have several property owners approaching the RDA with proposed projects in the coming months.