Hearing to consider cost of recent demolition

A public hearing is being held to consider the cost of the recent demolition of a dilapidated downtown building.

The building, located at 665 Peace Portal Drive, was demolished in April. It was formerly occupied by the Costa Azul restaurant and was pest-ridden, structurally unsound and decaying, posing a risk to public safety.

The building was demolished by Dirt Works Bellingham. In December 2018, city council unanimously approved a $247,836 contract with the firm. The contract included the cost of permitting, asbestos abatement, demolition and disposal of the structure.

However, the total amount that city staff will be presenting to council for consideration is $283,178.03. This includes not only the cost of the demolition itself but also staff time and attorney fees.

After the conclusion of the public hearing, city council may order that the cost of the building’s demolition be passed on to the property owner.

“We would notify the property owner of the expense, and then we would lien the property and the city would be paid back when the property owner paid the invoice or when the property was sold,” said city manager Michael Jones.

According to the Whatcom County assessor’s office, the property owner is Guenter Mannhalt of Seattle.

Jones indicated that Mannhalt may have recently passed away, leaving the property in probate. Nonetheless, Jones said that the property owner had numerous opportunities to participate or protest along the way. The city has been pursuing the building’s demolition since at least May of 2017, when a demolition notice was issued to Mannhalt.

“I feel very confident that the city has followed all the appropriate steps,” said Jones.

The public hearing is being held pursuant to the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings as well as the Blaine Municipal Code.