Monticello Live

 

Steve Davis, formerly of the Trotter House, recently told Monticello of his progress in opening the “Square Cup” in the recently renovated building at the corner of Main Street and Gaines Street, on the Monticello Square.

Steve plans to open the new business in January; serving soup, sandwiches, and homemade fudge.

He also plans to add “old fashioned custard”  in the future.

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Improvements Continue on Square’s Corner Building
Nov. 8, 2011

Renovations continue on the corner building on the Monticello Square.

Recent visible work include paint, the back patio, and stairs.  Many changes also took place inside of the structure, such as the load-bearing wall, to improve strength and support.

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Painting the Town ’til Early Morning
Oct. 14, 2011

One lane of Main Street, near the City Square was closed to traffic, late Thursday night and early Friday morning.

AAA Painting was using “cherry picker” lift to paint the Main St./Gaines St. building that is being rehabilitated by Richard Akin. 

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Improvements Continue Renovating Collaped Building on City Square
October 5, 2011

City employees are shown, this morning, assisting with clean up and improvements on the old corner building on the city square.

The concrete from the building will likely be used as rip-rap at the city sewer ponds. 

Other recent work done in cleaning up the debris is shown below.

 

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Richard Akin Agrees to Accept & Renovate Collapsed McKiever Building
Sept. 16, 2011

Richard Akin has confirmed to MonticelloLive that he has reached an agreement to accept ownership and begin renovations on the old McKiever building on the southeast corner of the Monticello Square.

Former owner, Leslie McKiever had offered to donate the partially collapsed structure to anyone who would renovate the longtime landmark, instead of seeing it be torn down.

Akin plans to construct 2 1-bedroom loft apartments in the top of the structure, and is considering retail options for the bottom floor of the building.

Akin wanted to emphasize his appreciation to Union Bank for playing a major role in making this transaction possible.

Several years ago, Akin restored the buildings on the east side of the square, and has just completed major renovations and repairs to the building on the southwest corner of the Monticello Square, except for a few cosmetic projects that are nearing completion.

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Richard Akin Interested in Renovating Collapsed McKiever Building
Sept. 7, 2011

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It was announced at Tuesday night’s special called City Council meeting that Richard Akin has expressed interest in possibly restoring the McKiever building on the square, following Mrs. McKiever’s statement that she will donate the building to anyone that will avoid tearing it down.

Mr. Akin has recently had a contractor and an electrician calculating what it would cost to restore the building.

Mayor Maxwell stated, “Mr. Akin and his contractor believe they can restore this building and make it safe.” He went on to say that Mr. Akin said that possible future use, if he were to restore it, would be apartments and a business.

It isn’t yet known if Mr. Akin will accept the building as a restoration project, but Mrs. McKiever, who was present at the meeting, said that she believes he will likely come to a decision in the next two weeks, and that she also had another interested party.

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McKiever Offers to Donate Building to Anyone for Possible Restoration
Sept. 1, 2011

A major status change has recently taken place with the collapsed building at the corner of Main and Gaines Streets. The insurance company involved paid on the building’s damage claim, and the mortgage on the property has been paid off.

Leslie McKiever, the proprty’s owner, comfirmed to MonticelloLive that she is willing to donate the property to any individual, organization, or entity that would be interested in restoring the historic structure.

Sources have commented that anyone who restores the building would likely quality for a large tax

credit, based on the structure’s age and historical status.

McKiever would also consider offers that may have a different vision of use for the property, but restoration is clearly her preferred choice.

Anyone who is interersted in the property should contact McKiever Realty on North Main St.

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City Council to Hold Special Meeting to Discuss McKiever Building & Possible Fines to Nuisance Property Landlords
August 26, 2011

 

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Thursday night’s regular City Council meeting included reports from Brian Rodgers, city property inspector, of 30 landlords currently on the city’s nuisance property list. The 30 landlords own a total of 143 properties inside city limits, and 10 of the landlords are repeat offenders. Nine of the ten live outside of Drew County.

On the subject of nuisance properties, it was presented to the council that Mrs. McKiever would like a 2 to 3 month extension on tearing down her building. She is currently trying to donate it, though since Ms. McKiever was not present, it was unclear to whom she would donate the building.

The city advertised for bids on tearing down the building and had no response. A fax sent by Ms. McKiever’s attorney stated that she will brace the building to prevent further collapse, attempt to neutralize any hazardous materials coming from the building “at a reasonable cost,” and she has contacted a contractor, Russell Herren to address the city’s public safety concerns.  Herren estimated that to replace the roof, reconstruct the rear wall, and basic renovations would cost $100,000.  The letter added,  ”Unless the building is rehabilitated, it will continue to deteriorate, becoming more unsightly and dangerous. Costs to remove the structure structure could  exceed $10,000.

Mayor Maxwell suggested that these issues be discussed at a special meeting to be held September 6,approximately 2011 at 6:30pm.

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City Council Hears Update on Nuisance Properties – New Properties Added to List – Lawyer Sends Letter about McKiever Building
Posted July 22, 2011

The Monticello City Council heard an update from City Property Inspector Brian Rodgers at their Thursday night meeting.

Rodgers began his presentation with a “Before & After” slide presentation of photos of recemt improvments to local properties.

Next, Rodgers showed them overhead photos of properties that are next on the council list to be cleaned up by the city, with the property owners being billed.

Charles Sidney Gibson, a Dermott attorney, sent a letter to the city about the McKiever building on Main and Gaines Streets.  Mayor Allen Maxwell explained issues involved in removing an older, 2 story structure to the council.

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Gathings’ Properties on Main St. & Gaines St. Get “Improved”
 January 27, 2011

After being included on the city’s list of nuisance properties, James Gathings “secured” his East Gaines Street property with a rainbow of colored tin, Wednesday morning.

His South Main Street property received it’s “improvement” Wednesday afternoon.

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City Begins Demolition of “Nuisance Properties”
Posted Dec 20, 2010

Last week, city workers began the removal of “nuisance properties,” starting with a house on West Wood Street damaged when a large tree limb fell across the structure during a thunderstorm in 2008. The property owner started tearing down the structure but didn’t complete the task.

In October, the City Council outlined approximately 20 properties that may qualify for the “nuisance property” list.

The property owner was notified of the city council hearing and then notified of the property’s pending demolition.

The city will likely place a lien on the property to recover expenses for the clean up.

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 City Council Condemns 20 Properties at Tuesday Meeting – Updated Info
Oct. 6, 2010

The Monticello City Council officially declared 20 separate properties as “nuisance properties” at a special called city council meeting, Tuesday night. 

The condemned properties’ owners have 30 days to make improvements, before the city may take action to “abate the nuisance”.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

The properties are listed below.

—-Owner of Record—— Property Information
1, Sharon McKiever–Main & Gaines Street
2. Brenda & V. Clifton Freeman–Gaines & Godfrey Cleaners Building
3. Theo & Sammy Lindsey—Gaines & GodfreyService Station
4. Jim’s Quik Credit Auto, Inc. — East Gaines Street
5. Gathings Investment Co. LLC–Main Street, South of Square
6. Harrison Thompson—315 South ConleyStreet
7. EquiCredit Corporation—657 South Maple Street
8. Ambassador of Business Health—335 South Conley
9. Sally Griffith—539 Scott Street
10. Gail Brannon—404 Wood Avenue
11. Walton E. Sawyer—210 South Hyatt Street
12. James Holdcraft—626 South Maple
13. Clifton Bond—356 East Shelton Street
14. Artie Faye McCoy—122 South Cherry
15. Bennie & Vickey Vincent —100 McCray Street
16. Tommy Thornhill—1116 East Jackson Street
17. Tony L. & Stephanie D. Smith—343 South Dillard Street
18. Wannetta Robertson—413 West Shelton Street
19. Anthony M. Jenkins—225 West Jackson Street
20. Stacy Toney—513 Roosevelt Court

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Story by Mandy Moss

During Tuesday night’s meeting the City Council voted to have the city take action on 20 properties that have been declared nuisances. The council voted yes to pass a resolution on each property that authorizes the city to take whatever corrective action is necessary on said property after 30 days have passed.

Three properties were discussed and more time has been given to the owners to meet set standards.

The first property is that of Monica Lee McKiever on S. Hyatt Street. Truman Hamilton addressed the council stating that a relative of the property owner has asked to be allowed to rehabilitate the building. Mr. Hamilton also said that the last notice sent to the owner came back and was not forwarded to a new address. City Council decided to table the decision on this property and have Mr. Hamilton keep watch over future progress.

The next property discussed was D & D Properties on E. Oakland St. The property manager, Don Livingston, brought discussion before the council.

“D&D Properties is ready to take action.” Mr. Livingston stated that they now have the funds to begin renovating the building by replacing windows, doors, and painting the exterior. He said that these updates would be completed within 45 days.

“That should take away the eyesore it’s become for the community.” – Livingston

The council tabled the decision on D & D Properties until a later date to give the owners time to take promised actions.

The last property discussed is owned by Mose & Pinkie Gasper on W. Shelton St. The owners addressed the court stating that they would begin working on the property this weekend, and that they would gut the property. If it cannot be salvaged after that, “then we will tear it down.” – Owners

City Attorney Bill Daniels said, “I suggest we table this and have Mr. Hamilton check on their progress… let’s give them 60 days and bring it back up.”

The Council agreed to check back on the property after 60 days.

In closing, Beverly Hudson said, “I just want to say that I appreciate the efforts being made by the Mayor and Mr. Truman to beautify Monticello.”

Other council member also compliments Hamilton for his ongoing work on this issue.

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