Removal of Abandoned Garage  at 16600 Hwy 47

The purpose of this case is to seek direction on removal of the abandoned garage, which is located just west of the Rum River Hills golf course at 16600 St Francis Blvd.  The property was purchased back in 2009 as part of what was know at that time as the "Pumpkin Patch" and would eventually become the building site for water tower #3.  Originally the property also included a house, but that was used as part of a controlled burn exercise by the Ramsey Fire Department.  The house was burned down, and the foundation was removed by the PW department and back filled.  Over the years the building has been used for some minor storage needs, but that is no longer the case.  Over the past several years,  PW staff have been called out on occasion to re-secure the building after vandals have removed the boards to gain access.  After checking with the other departments we have concluded that the building serves no real public purpose anymore and should be removed. Removal of the garage will also help us  meet our strategic goal of improving the appearance of our major transportation corridors .

10 Minutes

There are several ways the building can be removed.  
Option # 1 Private party buys structure, dissembles and removes from site.
Option # 2 City hires contractor to raze building and remove from site
Option # 3 PW staff razes building and removes from site
Option# 4 Do nothing and wait until property sells and have new buyer remove from site.

PW staff removal - general fund cost center 0311 and enterprise fund 9601
Contracted removal-Enterprise fund 9601

Staff would recommend advertising for proposals to remove the garage and comparing that against the cost of removing the building using PW staff and then choose the most economical method.

Motion staff to  advertise for proposals to remove the garage and chose most economical method from options listed above  or reject the staff recommendation and approve an alternative motion based on committee discussion