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Housing & Redevelopment Authority Minutes October 3, 2011 Page 2 and building maintenance staff inspected the building and recommended an inspection by a structural engineer. Loukes Associates inspected both buildings, as well as the meat market, on • August 19 at no cost to the HRA. Their inspection determined that the 720 building has failed roof trusses. Loukes recommended no one enter this building until further detailed investigation is complete or either the building is demolished or repaired. Details of their recommendations are attached to the staff report to the HRA dated October 3 regarding building repair or demolition. Ms. Deckert reviewed three options for the HRA to consider: repair the building; demolish 720 Main Street; or demolish both 716 and 720 Main Street. She noted that it is imperative to move forward before there is a heavy snowfall to avoid the riskof roof collapse of the 720 building which poses a risk to public health safety. Commissioner Lieser asked if the 720 building was being used for storage. Ms. Deckert stated that other than a couple of items from the Parks and Recreation department, but that the building was vacant. Commissioner Motin stated that he could see no reason not to demolish the buildings. He stated there is no way the HRA should spend $100, 000 for repairs, when the 716 building could also be demolished for $2,000 - $5,000 more. He felt it was their best option to tear down both buildings as quickly as possible, and he has received messages from other councilmembers who also feel the buildings should be demolished. He stated that it does not make any sense to keep throwing money at the buildings for repairs. David Raymond, Arts Alliance Chair, stated he questioned why there is so little difference in the cost to demolish only the 720 building and the cost to demolish both buildings. He stated that he felt the costs should be reevaluated, since the 716 building has a full basement. Mr. Raymond stated that the Arts Alliance would like to stay in the 716 building as long as possible. He explained that they are • still interested in the former First National Bank building and are not interested in any of the other sites they have explored so far. He stated that the Arts Alliance understands the HRA's position and he thanked them for allowing them to utilize the 716 building. Vice-Chair Toth stated that he appreciated the Arts Alliance's presence in the downtown and felt they brought people to the downtown that might not have otherwise have come. Dennis Chuba, Arts Alliance boardmember, stated he inspected the buildings a year ago and found that the 720 was falling apart, but that the 716 building was a more modern construction. He concurred that the 720 building is dangerous and should be taken down, but felt that the 716 building should be saved: He noted that if both buildings are demolished, the city should make an offer to the Robecks (Elk River Meats). for their building and take down all three. He stated that he hoped the city would assist the Arts Alliance in finding another location. Vice-Chair Toth asked if the 716 building had steel supports. Mr. Ruprecht stated yes, that was, correct. Vice-Chair Toth asked if the re-roofing costs seemed accurate. Mr. Ruprecht stated yes, since the cost included taking the roof off down to the decking. Toth asked if he felt the HRA buildings could be taken down separately. Mr. Ruprecht stated yes, it was possible, but it certainly would be easier to take them both down. He explained that the roofs of the two buildings are covered with a membrane that blends together and there would be additional cost to re-do the 716 roof if only 720 was taken down. Toth stated he questioned the demolirion costs, since there would concrete removal for both buildings. Mr. Ruprecht stated that cost estimates were done by the structural engineer.