City approves Fast Track Demolition at 643 Fourth Street in Lincoln

[April 17, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

At the Monday evening voting meeting of the Lincoln City Council, aldermen approved the fast track demolition of a property located at 643 Fourth Street.

At the Committee of the whole meeting last week, Lincoln’s Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall submitted the request for demolition saying that the abandoned property was a hazard to the community.

He noted photos he had included in his request showing that the area behind the house was trashy and littered with old tires and broken furniture. He said that the building itself was suffering structurally with doors and windows broken out.

Woodhall noted that the old house is a haven for varmints, and said that looking inside the door he had noted a tent set up inside the building that made him believe that someone was or had been staying inside.

Woodhall had collected bids on the demolition:

Jim Moody Excavating - $6,480
Harold Goodman Excavating - $5,900
Byrnes Backhoe and Excavating - $4,900

Woodhall said this was the second time that Byrnes had been a low bidder on a demolition for the city. A few weeks ago that firm had been awarded a demolition project that was also on Fourth Street, just across the street from the one being considered now.

He said that he had held off on this property because he wanted to observe the new contractors work. When the other property was done, Woodhall said that Byrnes had done a very good job, therefore he was comfortable with recommending to the council that the award go to the firm with the lowest bid.

According to Woodhall the property at 643 Fourth Street has had several owners in its lifetime, but has been abandoned for the past several years. He said that there had been numerous code violations issued against the property and that there is currently money due to the city for sewer bills and mowing.

[Nila Smith]