The Blue Earth City Council accepted a bid for demolition of the Three Sisters. They also discussed saving a part of the top of one of the buildings, at left.

The Blue Earth City Council voted to proceed with demolition of the Three Sisters buildings in downtown Blue Earth during their meeting last Monday night, July 15.

The decision was made to accept one of six bids for the demolition. That bid was from G&S Excavating of Blue Earth and was in the amount of $164,800.

It was the lowest of the six bids, which ranged from the low bid of G&S Excavating to a high bid of $660,000.

The council also decided not to pursue a Demolition Loan from the state of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

The loan would be for 15 years at 2 percent interest.

“The loan application is due by Aug. 1,” city administrator Mary Kennedy said. “Some or all can be forgiven if the site is redeveloped and there is an increase in tax base and job creation. In other words it cannot just become a park or a parking lot if we get the loan.”

Kennedy added that since the bid came in much lower than expected, other options to pay for it are available, other than the loan from DEED.

Mayor Rick Scholtes suggested using the city’s reserve funds to pay for the demolition, and then replenish those funds later.

The council voted to not pursue the state loan and to proceed with using reserve funds.

“I think this is the best way to go,” council member Ann Hanna said. “This way we will be in control of the site.”

Kennedy said the city can still promote development of the site and seek a grant for any redevelopment, after the demolition is complete.

Council member Mike McNerney suggested that part of the top of the south Sister building be saved, such as the date stone.

The City Council also had an update on the various construction projects going on in the town this summer during their meeting on Monday, July 15.

City engineer Ben Rosol of Bolton and Menk told the council what stage all of the projects are at, and that included the new tennis courts at Putnam Park.

Rosol said the south area of the new courts received a first coat of the new surface material, and the north side of the courts will be done this week.

In response to a question by council member John Huisman about the problem of people trying to use the courts before they are open, Rosol said he let the construction crew handle that issue and they put tape up around the court and at the open gates into the court area.

Huisman questioned whether a sign might also be needed.

The council also discussed the need for bleachers at the new courts.

Two sets of bleachers, which had been at the old courts and are owned by the Blue Earth Area Schools, will be returned, said Mary Kennedy, city administrator.

There are four concrete pads that are in place for four sets of bleachers to be bolted onto, so the council voted to purchase two new sets of bleachers which will match the older two.

City attorney David Frundt also mentioned the single benches that had been by the courts and suggested those could be reinstalled outside the courts.

The council also asked about the stakes on the north side of the courts and whether they designate where trees are going to go, and Rosol said yes that was correct.

During their work session which was held before the regular meeting, the council once again looked at sections of the city’s zoning ordinances which are being brought up to date by members of the Bolton and Menk staff.

One big change the council studied was the creation of a new residential district, which will be called R-3. The new district would encompass the Riverside Heights area, when they become a part of the city next month.

“Basically this was needed to allow all of the covenants that were created when Riverside Heights was first formed to stay in place now that they are being annexed into the city,” mayor Scholtes said.

In other business at the meeting, the council:

• Approved a zoning variance request for the construction of a new garage at 111 North Holland Street.

• Heard an update on the remodeling construction going on at the future City Hall, which is the former Wells Fargo Bank building.

• Learned about a ribbon cutting at the Golden Stripe on I-90 set for Thursday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at the eastbound Blue Earth rest stop area.

• Were briefly introduced to new Blue Earth Wine & Spirits municipal liquor store manager Stacy Hander. Hander will officially start her new position as manager on Monday, July 29.