Council decision to follow:

Tekoa will open bids for building demolition

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Nov 14, 20190

Tekoa city council has set a bid opening for Nov. 18, for proposals from small-works contractors to tear down the Cohn Motors building – the red-brick former auto dealership whose roof caved in by snow in January 2017.

Tekoa Mayor Troy Wilson reported Nov. 11 that one bid has been received.

“The council will have some tough decisions in the coming months,” Wilson said.

Kynda Browning, Tekoa city clerk, made calls Nov. 5 to the town's small works roster to invite bids.

Whitman County Superior Court ruled Oct. 9 that the city – which does not own the damaged building – has the right to demolish it, with the building owners responsible for the cost.

An estimated 1,200-foot section of the roof and part of two walls collapsed.

“We have permission to tear it down,” said Wilson.

Another concern, besides cost, Wilson noted was a shared wall between part of the building and the next structure on Crosby Street.

“It's an eyesore and a hazard, and has been for three years,” Wilson said.

Keith Andersson owned the building when the roof caved in. Last fall, Eric Bretz took over as owner, after Andersson signed a quit claim to the property.

“We don't know who owns it,” Wilson said.

If the building is torn down, the owners will still own the lot.

Demolition costs would come from Tekoa's general fund, which is what paid for the fence surrounding the property since soon after the collapse. The city first rented the fence and later purchased it.

“The owners of the building will eventually pay for this,” said Wilson. “Plus the fence.”

Built before 1902, the two-story auto shop/gas station has not been used as a business since Redfern & Sons went out in the 1950s.