Centerville council approves $125,605 demolition of Mill Building, authorizes $1,495 privacy fence

The Centerville Town Council voted Jan. 8 to authorize the demolition and removal of debris at the partially collapsed "Mill Building," 2647 Centerville Road, approving a contractor quote of $125,605 and separately approving a temporary privacy fence rental at about $1,495.

Town staff told the council the property owner had been given repeated opportunities to obtain permits, meet with architects and make repairs, but the site remains an unsafe, partly demolished structure with unpermitted repairs. "We've reached the end of the road," the presiding officer said when introducing the item.

Council members asked whether the contractor's price included removal of vehicles and personal items. Contractor representation in the discussion said the $125,605 price includes removal of vehicles and all debris, returning the lot to seed and grass.

Council discussed providing the owner a final certified notice and setting a deadline for the owner to remove any personal items; the council set a tentative deadline of Jan. 14 and expected demolition to begin shortly thereafter if the owner did not act.

A motion to approve the updated quote from Martin's Excavation and Hauling for $125,605 to complete demolition of 2647 Centerville Road was made, seconded and adopted by voice vote. The council also approved a motion to rent and install an 8-foot temporary privacy fence from Sunbelt Rentals for $1,495 to secure the frontage during demolition. Staff indicated interest income in the town's ICS account would be used to cover the fence and that the expense would be tracked as a public works capital purchase for lien and tax-sale accounting.

Town staff said the town will pay the demolition contractor and then pursue a lien and tax-sale or other collection remedies to recover costs from the property owner. Council members emphasized the decision was driven by public-safety concerns about the half-exposed building and trespass/illegal activity at the site.

Next steps: staff will send the owner a certified notice with the stated deadline, coordinate logistics with the contractor and install the temporary fence ahead of demolition.