By JIM MAURER
STAFF WRITER
Hancock County commissioners took steps Thursday to remove two buildings along the Blanchard River east of North Main Street as part of its ongoing flood-reduction efforts.
Using a mixture of federal, state and local funds, the commissioners approved the purchase of a building at 321 Clinton Court for $1.035 million, completing a process first announced several years ago.
In June 2017, the commissioners announced plans to purchase and demolish the warehouse building at the Clinton Court property, owned by Koehler Brothers. The property included a 4.7-acre parcel.
The county received approval of a federal grant of $1,099,086, provided through the state Emergency Management Agency, in fiscal year 2016 for the warehouse and a former oriental grocery at 130 N. Main St., according to information from Steve Wilson, project manager for the commissioners. The state agency then added $180,177 to the grant, for a total of $1,280,013, Wilson said.
The original grant was for three years and the county received two 1-year grant extensions.
The county spent $311,500 for acquisition and demolition of the grocery building, which left $968,513 for the Clinton Court property, which was the site of the former Old Dutch Brewery. The purchase price of $1.035 million and a demolition estimate of $100,000 put the total cost for removing the building at $1,135,000, according to Wilson.
As a result, the county will provide $166,487 from its flood-reduction money.
In a related matter, the commissioners approved a contract with ALL Excavating and Demolition, McComb, for demolition of a building at 122 Jefferson St. The company’s bid of $29,400 was the lowest of 11 bids received.
If the county didn’t move ahead with demolition of the building, which formerly housed the Community Action Commission, it would have to return about $240,000 in federal grant funds, said Phil Johnson, assistant Hancock County prosecutor.
The commissioners also held a closed executive session to discuss potential real estate acquisition. No action was taken after the meeting.
Maurer: 419-427-8420
