Ask the Mayor: Fire-damaged homes will be demolished, in time

Question: What is happening with the three Aberdeen buildings that had fires and need to be taken down? There’s one on South First, one on North Second, and one on Southeast 12th Avenue. They are obviously not salvageable.

Answer: There are some unique factors related to each of these situations, as well as to a house on South Main Street that may be in the same category, but the causes for the delayed demolition reflect similarities.

In general, these situations typically are owned by non-local investors and that always delays the process of trying to get them demolished and cleared.

So, instead of just meeting with them and moving quickly to action, the official notifications are done through the mail and that extends the time to get through the process. In some cases it’s hard to track them down.

Also, there is typically a negotiation among insurance companies; these rental non-owner occupied properties often have more than one insurance coverage policy involved. Until those companies clear up the resolution of responsibility and the dollars involved for the policy holders, the orders for demolition get put on hold.

The best solution for the property owner and the city (and neighbors) would be to just do a quick demolition and clearing and send a bill for reimbursement. It just doesn’t work that easily, though. Deference to the rights of ownership sit prominently in ordinances and statutes at every level.

Beyond elements out of control by the city, there is also a bias toward working with people rather than bringing down the heavy hand of government before the owners have time to get things done themselves.

There is a need to monitor the properties to be sure there is no danger to health and safety, and as things deteriorate that increases the desire to speed up the process.

Unfortunately, I’m told, it may take some additional time for all the legalities to be met and reach the point of clearing these lots. Getting to that as quickly as possible is the goal now but it just isn’t happening as quickly as neighbors would like to see and reasonably expect.

Aberdeen Mayor Mike Levsen’s views are his own and don’t necessarily represent those of other city officials. Send your thoughts/questions to mayor@aberdeen.sd.us.