Contract let to raze dangerous downtown Eldorado building
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[An eyesore and danger in the downtown area of Eldorado soon will disappear. Eldorado City Council, on a unanimous vote, on Tuesday let a contract to demolish a building at 1338 and 1340 Locust Street.
The roof of the building caved in early this spring. After obtaining possession of the structure from the owner,, council determined to hire an outside firm for the demolition.
Members of the body decided due to common walls, it would be too large a job for city workers.
Fred Cooley and Son Excavating will handle the demolition at a cost of $12,998. After the work is done, the city is expected to place a lien on the property for the cost of demolition and the cost of legal actions to gain possession for demolition.
At an earlier meeting, City Attorney C. Mart Watson said in addition to a lien, suit for recovery of the costs could be brought against the owner, Darrell Duke of Harrisburg. After demolition, the Circuit Court will determine the reasonableness of the costs.
Old barbershop lot
The lot once occupied by another Locust Street building which was demolished several years ago, commonly called "the old barbershop building" lot, will be offered for sale.
Mayor Rocky James said there is an interested party in bidding for the lot and if sold, it will again be a taxable property.
Community Center roof
Revamping of a city-owned building that houses the Police Department and Community Center is under way.
Council was told Gary Suits Construction Inc. has started cutting a concrete block attachment to the building in preparation for re-roofing. Cutting back the blocks will allow for a larger roof overhang.
Council, at its last meeting, awarded a contract to Suits for removal of the old roof, which has leaked for many years.
The new metal roof, an equivalent to the old roof, is costing $32,466 and the preparation for an added overhang is costing $8,950.
On Tuesday, council added an extra $3,372 to the cost of the roof by authorizing guttering and fascia work.
The city has received a state grant for the work.