5.4. SR 09-08-2009
Property ~w~e~ George Larson requests an extension from the August ~ 5, 2009 deadline agreed to by
the Council on June ~ 5, 2009. The additional time is to allow potential buyers to assemble the necessary
funding in order to finalize a sale; or
staff' xequests authorization to continue abatement proceedings on the former bowling alley. Next steps
include: find contracto~• to perform worl~, complete the Worl~, and assess the costs to the property taxes as
permitted by Code and statute.
a.c~c r~und~ ~scuss~®n
The City has identified the condition of the fo~•mer bowling alley owned by Mi. George Larson as one
being a nuisance as defined by the City Code. After snow collapsed a portion o£ the bowling alley on
March ~, 2007, tarps were placed as protection from the exterior elements. These tarps have been
desti.•oyed in the years since their installation. The issues sun~narized:
1. The ta~.•p placed in 2007 to temporary protect the temporary exterior wall has disintegrated;
2, There are openings to the roof allowing Water and birds to enter the building;
3. There appears to be evidence of people breaking into the building;
4. Graffiti painted on the property.
~Tith a f:~.al action deadline of June 28, 2009 pending, the property owner requested and the Council
granted a two month extension to August ~ 5, 2009, to facilitate the sale via auction scheduled for late July
2009, The auction has not xesulted in a sale and Mr. Larson xequests additional time for interested parties
to assemble financing.
From staffs perspective, the City has been more than patient in uniting for• the property owner to bring
the building into compliance. There are abatement tools available that would allow the City to male the
necessary repairs City staff is not pushing for demolition of the building}. The costs for these repairs
would be assessed to Mr. Carson's taxes. The attached timeline shows the 2009 action history.
Staff has suggested to Mr. Larson that the City could complete the worl~, and assess the repair costs to his
property, to be paid over 5 yews, with interest. This Would allow him to either pay over time, or at once,
C,~Documents and 5ettin~s~jmiller~Loca1 Settings~rl'emporary Internet Tiles~OLK3L~Actian Requested I3o~vling ~111ey extension 9-8-09.doc
at the time of title transfer. Mr, Larson has expressed his desire not to spend money on a temporary fix,
considering that future buyers will more Chan lil~e~y demolish the building.
~na~nc~a~~ Ian
None.
tta,chr~ents
Mr. George Larson's request for extension
Code Enforcement history, dated September 3, 200
C,~Documents and Settings~jmiiler~Local Sett~n~~'I'emporary Internet riles~oLI~3E~Action Requested Ba~vling Alley catension 9-8-O~,doc
alliance
REAL ESTATE AUCTIONS3
August 26, 2009
Jeremy Barnhart
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
RE; George Larson Property
Dear Jeremy,
Thank you for meeting with George Larson and myself Monday morning. I
just wanted to restate that we do have two pai~ties in negotiations with us.
George has reduced the price on the property to achieve a quicker closing.
These parties may have already talked to you about their plans. We are
asking the city for a little more time to conclude these negotiations for the
redevelopment of George Larsen's property.
Thank you,
Richard A. Berens
A~~iance ea E~~a~e .Auc~~on~
15542 137t~' ~. ~E a decker, N~ 553D~
P:763pZ6Z®5555 F.A: 763-Z6Z~~5
rw~~r.he . .Le~~.tcJTI NEB ,c~
City of
Elk
River
MEMORANDUM
~r~n1 arnhar~, tannin a~na,~r
a~ve trick, ®e n~rcer~ent fc~r
o etenner p ~
®1~~~n ~~~~ IS~~r'~
The bowling alley was severely damaged in March 1, 2007 as a result of a roof collapse due to
snow buildup. The owne~.• is Mr. George Larson Larson Properties of Monticello of GOG East
River Road i.n Monticello, Minnesota.
1. March 3, 2009: Follow up to enforcement action from 2008. No additional wo~•l~ other than
grass mowing} completed.
2. March 17, 2009; Letter sent to Mi. Larson .requiring arrangements "to address the issues
identified. Specific code violatio~.s include:
All vacant stt•uctures and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secu~:e, and
sanitary condition;
~ Shall not cause blight or affect public health and safety ~1PMC 301.3}
This letter included a description of the public nuisance,l4 day notice to abate, notice that
the City may abate the nuisance, and the right to appeal. These statements are xequ~re .
3. April 1, 2009: Mr. Larson called me from Florida and we agreed to have a meeting on his
return to Minnesota on 501 2009. This was confirmed in writing on April 3, 2009.
4. May 4, 2009: Mr. Larson requested an onsite meeting 5W11-2009 at 9:OOAM.
5. May 11, 2009: Inspection of the property by Code Enforcement ~ff~cer Hetrick and Fire
Marshal Cliff Anderson. All violations outlined in March were noted as unaddressed.
G. May 27, 2009; A formal letter was sent to Mr. Larsan sighting the building as substandard in
accordance with Sec. 30232 of the Ells River code. A G-2S-2009 due date was set.
7. June 15, 2009: A request for an extension was made by Mr. Larson to the City Council. That
extension was granted with a due date of 8-15-2009.
8, July 27, 2009; Auction was held. No sale.
9. August 24, 2009. Staff and Mr. Larson met to outline options:
~ Fix the property as required and suggested
® Allow the City to abate, agree to 5 year payment plan
® Challenge the abatement action
10. August 2G, 2009: Mr. Larson requested additional time.