County flags hazardous Erskine tax-forfeit building; staff seek feasibility study

Polk County staff briefed the board on hazards posed by a multi-story tax-forfeit building at 109 Vance Avenue in Erskine. The structure is described as dilapidated, with an upper floor 'sitting on the main floor' and unsecured interior contents; county staff reported repeated unauthorized entry and a public-safety hazard if someone falls through the floor.

Because the building is unsafe to enter, staff said full asbestos testing cannot be completed internally and the state commonly treats untestable interiors as asbestos-containing, which increases demolition tipping fees. The county received a professional-services bid for a demolition feasibility study and bid-preparation work and proposed a not-to-exceed professional-services amount of about $27,500 to develop specifications, perform exterior testing where possible, and prepare demolition bid documents. The total project cost for demolition was discussed in the meeting as likely to fall in a range of $300,000 to $600,000 once asbestos treatment and tip fees are included.

Staff emphasized the need to seek a second professional-services bid and to coordinate with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on asbestos-handling options before committing county funds for demolition. The board did not authorize immediate demolition; staff said the item will return for action after additional bids and clarifications.