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This half torn down structure in the 1000 block of Wikoff Avenue is an eyesore and has recently been the topic of complaints to the city and the county, which owns the lot due to a tax lien. Commissioner Tracy Matli has brought the matter to the commission’s attention and said resolution needs to be sooner rather tthan later.
A derelict property at the corner of Wikoff and Tenth Avenue is becoming a thorn in the side of the Blaine County Commission.
The property, at 1021 N. Wikoff, came to the county through delinquent property taxes. Although in the city, it is inside the county’s District # 3. This spring it was on the list of properties for sale, but there were no bidders.
That was probably because the home that once occupied the lot is now a caved-in shell that was in the process of being torn down, but progress stopped. The lot has become overgrown and nearby residents have complained of rat infestations.
District #3 commissioner Tracy Matli explained Tuesday to the other commissioners that the county was going to have to act on the issue sooner rather than later.
He had been in contact with Watonga City Manager Karrie Little, who offered a spitball estimate for demolition and clearing the lot beginning at $20,000. He told the other commissioners that the county could do it themselves because they have the necessary equipment, but they would still be looking at the cost of multiple roll off dumpsters to haul the materials away. He estimated that it would take 10 or more dumpsters, considering the size of the house.
Commissioner Brandon Schultz said there was a business in Okeene, where his district is headquartered, that does demolition work and that he would contact them and ask someone to come look at the building and offer an estimate on clearing the lot and making it ready to offer for sale.
Blaine County Sheriff Travis Daugherty said that if the county was going to do the tear down itself, he could offer some inmate manpower to help clean up areas and move items the backhoe and other heavy equipment couldn’t manipulate.
“I have a really good work crew right now,” Daugherty said. “They are eager to get out and lend a hand.”
He said the crew had been utilized at homes known to be occupied by elderly residents who had limbs blown down during the recent storms. They picked up the limbs from the streets and yards and disposed of them for the residents.
Matli noted the city had gone out to the Wikoff site and mowed the right of way and his crew had done some spraying on the property. It wouldn’t be a simple demolition, though, since there is at least one fire hydrant on the property and there may be multiple basements or storm shelters there.
There is also some question about the location of the gas, water, sewer and electrical lines, all of which have to be located and marked so that they aren’t damaged or destroyed during the demolition.
County clerk Jennifer Haigler said it was her belief that the cost of the demolition, haul off of debris and cleanup of the lot could be recouped by the county when the lot was sold at auction.
As the item wasn’t on the agenda, but simply a matter of general information, no action was taken on it, but it will undoubtably be on the agenda again soon.