Commission discusses condemning downtown 'Jam' building to clear title and enable redevelopment

Commission members discussed longstanding title and blight issues with a downtown property referred to in the meeting as the "Jam" building. Staff said they found a condemnation letter dating back several years and asked counsel to locate a formal condemnation order from 2018; if no order exists, staff recommended initiating a new enforcement process and advertising notice to owners in the paper to establish service.

Addresses cited in the conversation for the property cluster were 108, 110 and 112 North Harrison and 112 West Washington. Participants discussed the practical steps after obtaining an order: hold a hearing, secure a final order if the owner does not appear, demolish structures if dilapidated, place a lien on the property for cleanup costs and then market the parcel for redevelopment. Staff noted possible historical confusion around a bankruptcy filing that had previously delayed county tax sale action on the property, and that tax liens and insurance liabilities would need to be resolved before the commission could accept title.

A participant said the owner, Jane Martin, had indicated she would be willing to quitclaim the property to the commission, but the commission did not rely on that as a formal step and said staff should pursue formal condemnation or enforcement documentation if the order cannot be found. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with Bill (counsel or staff) to locate the written order or proceed with the standard condemnation/notice process to avoid a repeat of earlier service problems.

The discussion closed with staff noting grant opportunities had previously been unavailable because the properties were not in the commission's name; obtaining control would reopen some potential grant matches but might also require negotiating tax relief or lien resolution with the county.