Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Shawano Redevelopment Authority officials are still waiting for plans from the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology to see how SIST intends to address two vacant and dilapidated downtown properties, but they’re not going to wait much longer.
SIST has until March 10 to show how it will repair or remediate the properties at 143 and 214 S. Main St. before the RDA considers taking action of its own, which could include going to court with a raze order or invoking eminent domain to acquire the properties, according to Assistant City Administrator Eddie Sheppard.
The RDA received a progress report from city staff on the two properties at a meeting Friday.
The property at 214 S. Main St. is of particular concern after a court-ordered inspection in May by health and safety officials found significant water damage, mold and structural problems.
The vacant SIST property at 143 S. Main St. is also on the RDA’s priority list because of blighted conditions that include mold and water damage, though it doesn’t have the structural safety threat that city officials say the other property poses.
Sheppard said there has been no correspondence from SIST about the properties since the RDA was updated on the properties at its meeting on Feb. 10.
Meanwhile, the RDA is also waiting for final word on the fate of a property formerly owned by SIST at 1247 E. Green Bay St.
The vacant Ponderosa restaurant was purchased at a foreclosure sale in June by VDG LLC.
The new owners had been working with the city on plans to raze the building, but city officials have yet to see any confirmation of those plans.
VDG has until the beginning of April to remove the building.
“The clock is ticking,” Sheppard said.