Progress is reportedly being made toward turning the dilapidated former Western Auto building on the Bruce Square into something more appealing for the town.
Property owner Ben Suber, town attorney Jim Beckett, and Mayor Rudy Pope all confirmed negotiations are ongoing to get an agreement for the town to take ownership of the property and demolish and clean out the old structure.
Their plan would be to clean the property out and replace it with a public space with potential picnic tables, a grassy area, murals on the walls and more.
“Our goal is to turn it into something the town will be proud of,” Mayor Pope said.
The building itself started its own demolition just over a week ago when the roof crashed down. All of the destruction from the collapse stayed inside the building. The front exterior remains intact and is roped off on the public sidewalk by orange barrels and yellow caution tape.
The Bruce town board has previously discussed potential condemnation proceedings on the property, but no official action was ever taken. Officials suggested that was to allow for the parties involved to work together toward a solution.
“We’re trying to get something done by the end of the year,” Suber said.
Mayor Pope said as soon as an agreement is reached, the town will move as fast as possible to get the property cleaned up.
Suber, who also serves as town judge in Bruce, said an agreement in principle was reached but needs to be approved by his accountant. That agreement would involve essentially donating the property to the town, or if more expeditious, contracting a long-term lease for virtually no cost to the town.
“I want it cleaned up as much as anybody,” Suber said.
He had contractors look at the building after he purchased it, but couldn’t find any willing to take on the demolition work due to its scope and liability concerns involving neighboring property owners.
“Most that looked at it were discouraged from tearing it down due to the liability around it. I’m trying to find out what can and can’t be done. I’m not a contractor myself, so I need a professional to advise me,” Suber said in July 2016.
Suber explained he purchased the building with hopes of building a new office there, but getting rid of the old structure has been wrought with complications.
Over the past two years, the town put up plyboard on the front and for many months blocked off parking places fearful of pieces of the building falling on citizens.
“I bought it to improve it, not for it to just sit there, but it wasn’t in the best of shape when I bought it,” Suber said. “It’s been a bigger pain than I ever realized it could be.”