Commission presses for clearer timelines after county pledges $50,000 toward Swick House deconstruction

Benton County Historic Resources Commission members reviewed site plans and contested aspects of an MOU tied to the SWIC (Swick) House and a larger county development plan. Several commissioners said media reports that 8.8 acres had been carved out of the project required clarification and asked staff to identify the precise parcel and how that change affected mitigation and the house's footprint.

Members said they had not been provided sufficient opportunity to discuss alternatives to demolition and urged the county to examine repurposing the house. Ideas raised included offering space to a child-advocacy group (CASA) or other court-related advocates so the structure could serve a county function. Participants flagged utilities, road placement and wetlands-mitigation work as site constraints that require confirmation from project engineers and county staff.

Commissioners pushed for stronger contract timelines in the MOU: while the MOU includes a final date for completion of deconstruction, it lacks a deadline for issuing RFPs and running bid processes, which members said could allow a last-minute demolition without adequate outreach. One member said the construction contractor had indicated willingness to fence and begin other work while deconstruction proceeds.

Inga Williams, a planner who participated in the meeting, reported that "Gary did agree to put $50,000 towards the deconstruction," a funding commitment commissioners said should be reflected in contract milestones and bid timelines. Members suggested contacting deconstruction firms to learn realistic lead times for bids and contractor availability and asked staff to forward their concerns to county project leads.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; the commission requested continued updates from staff and encouraged interested members to provide public comment at upcoming county-board meetings.