The saga of 301 North Main continues. The Mitchell city council voted 4-3 Monday to reject a proposed settlement between the city and property owner David Finell that would have led to the demolition of the building at the city’s cost.
The council met in executive session prior to the vote. Councilors Kevin McCardle, John Doescher, Susan Tjarks and Dan Allen voted no. Allen says the settlement was wrong. “I just don’t believe we ought to be buying anymore buildings for a dollar and the city of Mitchell gets hooked for a half-million dollars,” said Allen. “If we do this we’re going to set the example for whole Main Street that we’ve got some irresponsible business people, that owners out there that are not taking care of their properties.”
Councilors Steve Rice, Marty Barington and Dan Sabers voted yes. Sabers says it’s time to put an end to it. “I’ve hearing a lot of complaints about Third Avenue being blocked,” Sabers, who is a Main Street property owner said. “I don’t like the other option either but it’s time to get it open.”
Councilor Jeff Smith was absent.
The 100 block of West Third has been closed since the building began crumbling following a failed renovation in June of 2017. There’s no word yet on what the city will do next.