Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Game over, or possibly game on, depending on the possible fight ahead, but as far as the city is concerned, the clock has run out on a couple of properties owned by the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology.
The Shawano Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday initiated proceedings that could lead to the condemnation of a long-vacant and blighted property at 214 S. Main St., along with another vacant property attached to it, though SIST representative Darlene Sense informed the committee it would be hearing from SIST’s attorney.
The RDA had been poised last month to move forward with a resolution of necessity regarding that property and another at 143 S. Main St., but instead granted SIST more time to provide plans to raze or repair those structures.
According to the city, there has been no correspondence since then.
The resolution of necessity is basically the first step in exercising the city’s right of eminent domain over the property.
The city conducted a court-ordered inspection of the 214 S. Main St. property last year that showed it was a health and safety hazard and was structurally unsound.
The RDA last month gave SIST 30 days to show that it had hired an engineering or architectural firm to develop the plans, proof that those plans have been submitted to the state, an appraisal of the property and engineering estimates for restoration of the entire structure, SIST’s intentions for the building after it has been renovated, a timeline for moving forward with the reconstruction, and proof of financing showing that SIST can afford to do what it says it will do.
Thirty days after that initial deadline, SIST would have had to show the RDA the full, state-approved plan, which would include how SIST intends to make the building habitable and would cover any lighting, electrical, plumbing, heating and construction work that needs to be done.
The RDA also gave SIST 60 days to come up with plans for its vacant property at 143 S. Main St., which is also considered blighted but not in as bad a shape as 214 S. Main St.
“It would be difficult to redevelop one without the other,” City Administrator Brian Knapp said.
However, Building Inspector Brian Bunke said that if one of the properties were to be razed, the other would have to go as well, given the deterioration of the inner wall at 143 S. Main St.
“If it comes to tearing the building down, there would be no wall left (between them),” he said.
Both properties are within one of the priority areas designated by the RDA for addressing blight in the city.
The next step will be for the city to get an appraisal of the properties, and have an engineer look at whether either of them can be saved.
After that, an offer would be made to SIST for their purchase.
If a price cannot be agreed upon, the matter can be expected to go to court, Bunke said.
Meanwhile, the RDA is still waiting to hear plans for 143 S. Main St., which has a deadline of another 30 days. So far, there has been no communication, according to the city.