Council gives direction to move historic Huening House; staff to explore relocation, grants and reuse

City staff presented options for the small, aging structure on the downtown parcel at 100 North 11th Street (referred to in meeting materials as the Hooning/Huening House) and sought council direction on whether to demolish or relocate the structure as part of a planned plaza, restroom and Ramada project.

Staff said lifting and relocating the building onto a new two-foot-high stem wall closer to the southern boundary would cost approximately $777,000 for relocation only; that estimate does not include asbestos abatement, new plumbing and electrical, interior and exterior remodeling, or conversion for a specific reuse. Staff said the restroom and Ramada components are in this year's budget, and moving the house would allow the city to plan the Ramada and utility stubs together.

Vice Mayor urged restoration, describing family ties to the house and asking that the city preserve it where feasible. Several council members supported moving and restoring the house but noted potential costs and the need to evaluate asbestos removal and future utility needs. One council member suggested a commemorative plaque instead of relocating if costs proved prohibitive. Council asked staff to have the grant writer and staff investigate eligibility for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds or other grants for adaptive reuse and to return with options.

No formal vote was taken; council provided direction to staff to plan for moving the structure toward the Huening area (south/Union side), to include planning for stem-wall placement and stubbed utilities to accommodate likely future uses, and to pursue grant opportunities and reuse scenarios (including possible business-incubator and small retail uses). Staff said they would proceed on that basis and tie demolition/move timing to the restroom/Ramada work already budgeted for the year.

Key figures and clarifications: staff estimated relocation-only cost at about $777,000; remodeling and remediation costs (asbestos removal, new plumbing/electrical) were noted as additional and would require further cost estimates. The building-size figures referenced in discussion were inconsistent in the transcript; staff will supply precise measurements and a cost breakdown in follow-up materials.