The De Soto City Council recently agreed to spend $19,565 to demolish two De Soto houses that had been deemed dangerous. However, the owner of one of the properties was given time to tear down his structure, reducing the cost of the demolition contract.
The council awarded the contract to Schemel Companies in Perryville to demolish the properties at 1220 N. Fourth St. and 321 Perry St.
Deputy city clerk Crystal Barton said Tuesday, May 31, that the owner of 1220 N. Fourth St. had been given until May 18 to demolish and clean up his property and that work had been completed.
Barton said Schemel was expected to demolish the Perry Street property on June 1.
The city will place a lien against the property to cover the cost of the demolition, she said.
The City Council voted unanimously on April 18 to hire Schemel to tear down the Fourth Street property for $7,370 and the Perry Street property for $12,195.
Since the Fourth Street property owner satisfactorily completed that demolition, Schemel will only be paid the $12,195 to raze the Perry Street property.
City Administrator Todd Melkus said Schemel did not submit the lowest bids, but was the only bidder to submit all required documentation to qualify for the project, such as certificate of insurance.
“Due to other bidders not turning in the correct documentation with the bids, the council went with Schemel,” Melkus said.