Doodles Building Owner Issued Nuisance Abatement Notice

The city of Glenwood has served a nuisance abatement notice to the owners of the Doodle’s restaurant building that’s been sitting idle since an exterior wall on the structure began collapsing 31 days ago.

Glenwood Code Enforcement Officer Jim Webel said the written notice was sent to the building’s owners, Joe and Wendy Kuhnert, on Dec. 3. Webel said the notice advises the Kuhnerts of the existing public safety danger caused by their building’s deteriorating condition and gives them 30 days to have the nuisance abated. A copy of the notice was also sent to the insurance provider for the building, United Fire Group.

A large hole on the south side of the Doodle’s building was first discovered Nov. 15. Webel said a nuisance abatement notice wasn’t sent immediately because the city wanted to give the Kuhnerts and United Fire a reasonable amount of time to get the situation resolved on their own.

“We did make it clear that something had to be done quickly,” Webel said.

Eight businesses – two in The Opinion-Tribune building located south of Doodle’s and six in the adjoining Robinson Building to the north – have been displaced as a result of the situation.

A structural engineer, representing United Fire Group, inspected the Doodle’s building two days after the collapse was first reported and advised the neighboring businesses not to allow employees or customers into their respective offices until the restaurant building is demolished. Owners and employees of the displaced businesses were told at that time the situation would be resolved quickly, but more than a month has passed and there’s yet to be a plan of action or timeline for demolition established.

A large portion of the southwest corner of the building is continuing to give way. Fallen bricks and other debris are continuing to pile up where the collapse is occurring. The area outside the building is marked by weather-tattered crime scene tape, but the pile of debris and exposed portion of the building remain easily accessible to the general public.

Webel and city attorney Matt Woods both said earlier this week they believe it’s in the best interest of all parties affected to get the Doodle’s building demolished as soon as possible. They noted the Kuhnerts could face citations and financial penalties if they fail to comply with terms of the city’s code of ordinances pertaining to dangerous buildings.

An adjuster from United Fire Group did inquire with Webel about the city’s potential interest in doing the demolition work. Webel said the city’s not interested, stressing it’s clearly the responsibility of the property owner.

“He (adjuster) asked if the city was wanting to get involved as far as being their resource to get the building down or for us to take it upon ourselves,” Webel said. “We as a city don’t want the liability of doing that because if something happens to the newspaper building or the Robinson building, we don’t want to be liable for that.”
 

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

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