ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Community Development with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending the City of Peoria 2020 - 2021 BIENNIAL BUDGET Relating to the Use of Eagle View TIF Fund Balance, in the Amount of $82,032.00, Related to the Emergency Demolition of 2728 WEST KRAUSE and 2902 WEST TREWYN.
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BACKGROUND: Two emergency demolition have occurred in the area adjacent to the Eagle View TIF.
On October 6th, 2020, the Community Development Department was made aware of a potential emergency situation at a commercial property located at 2728 W Krause Avenue. The complaint stated that the front awning appeared to be collapsing over the sidewalk. As the property is located directly across from Harrison School, the complainant was concerned for the safety of people using the sidewalk. A Building Inspector visited the property and expressed major concerns about the integrity of the awning but also the entire building. The sidewalk was immediately closed off.
On October 8th, a structural engineer from Farnsworth was contracted to provide a structural assessment of the property. In consultation with the Building Inspector, the building was deemed structurally unsafe and in imminent danger of collapse. The engineer's report stated:
“At the time of the inspection, the awning on the front of the building had distorted, rotating up by an estimated 25 to 30-degree angle. The front of the building had bowed outward by several inches at the top, just below the awning. The sidewalls at the 1st pilaster had also visibly displaced outward and the pilasters were cracked. Using the ladder to access the roof, it was found that the 1st truss had failed. This truss is located 16 feet from the front of the building. The City expressed concern about the front of the building collapsing onto the sidewalk and indicated they had already communicated with Public Works to have that area barricaded. It is the opinion of Farnsworth Group that the building roof truss collapse has caused the roof purlins extending to the front of the building to rotate causing the observed distortion in the front of the building and we conclude there is a concern for the front of the building to collapse. We agree with the City’s decision to barricade the sidewalk. There is also concern for progressive failure of the rest of the building should the roof failure cause an overload to the next roof truss.”
The city of Peoria contacted the demolition contractor and immediately fenced off the property. The emergency demolition of the property was ordered and the demolition contractor demolished the building, removed the debris, leveled the site, and seeded the property.
On November 12th, Code Enforcement staff noticed the deterioration of the property located at 2902 W Trewyn while pro-actively patrolling the area. It was determined that the property was structurally unstable, and an emergency demolition needed to occur as it posed a health and safety risk to the residents of Peoria. A Building Inspector confirmed this was the case. The demolition contractor was notified, and the structure was torn down.
The expenses associated with the demolition are an eligible TIF expenditure. Based on the current budget conditions of the City of Peoria, charging these expenses to the TIF versus the general fund is a more prudent decision.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Expenses will be charged to the Eagle View TIF.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Blighted and unsafe building was removed.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Expenses will be charged to the Eagle View TIF.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Expenses will be charged to the Community Development Department general fund budget.
ALTERNATIVES: NA
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NA
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Safe Peoria
3. Beautiful Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
2. Have an efficient government.
3. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development