(July 7, 2023) This week, at its July 5th meeting, the Pope County HRA/EDA approved a bid for demolition of the Fremad Building and other connected structures, moving forward with resolving the long-standing issue of the forfeiture property.
After review of the solicited bids, opened June 27, 2023, and bid qualification, the project was awarded to the lowest qualified and verified bidder, Joe Riley Construction, Inc. of Morris at a bid of $281,107.50.
Preparation work for the demolition project is already underway, but the main demolition activity has been scheduled for early August, to avoid any conflicts with the dates of Waterama in Glenwood in late July.
Area residents will already notice sidewalk fencing in place around the Fremad Building and the two connected buildings on the block, as well as parking restrictions on the north side of 1st Avenue SW immediately west of Franklin Street. These restrictions are in place for safety purposes during the course of the project. There also may be additional temporary restrictions on alley ingress and egress and other parking during the project, which will be clearly posted.
The demolition of the buildings is part of a redevelopment of this forfeited, blighted property, and solicitation of requests for proposals for redevelopment are planned to be publicly solicited sometime after demolition is complete. Redevelopment costs are intended to be recouped through sale of the land as well as from proceeds from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) on the valuation of the redeveloped site.
Questions on the project can be directed to the Pope County HRA/EDA at (320) 634-7847.