The public will have a chance to express their feelings about the demolition of the old Farmland plant at tonight’s Albert Lea City Council meeting.

Monday, January 14, 2002

The public will have a chance to express their feelings about the demolition of the old Farmland plant at tonight’s Albert Lea City Council meeting. As part of the hearing, the city inspection department will present concerns about the building, which include environmental issues and deteriorated and fire-damaged buildings.

Unless a significant difference of opinion is presented to the city council, the staff will be recommending that Farmland be ordered to demolish the buildings, said Paul Sparks, city manager. If Farmland can’t or won’t undertake the job themselves, then the city would do it and then take the costs out of the insurance settlement Farmland will eventually receive. The city is allowed to claim up to 25 percent of any settlement if it is forced to demolish the structures itself, he said.

The Farmland plant was partially destroyed in a fire last summer. The rest of the buildings are either unusable because of deterioration and asbestos contamination or not usable for other purposes, Sparks said.

Also to be discussed in public hearings tonight are liquor licenses for Crescendo and the Office II, and the demolition of a house located at 722 S. Washington Ave.

As the first meeting of the year, the meeting will also include resolutions which cover council procedures and regular appointments, and ongoing contracts with other organizations, including contracts for the use of city staff with the Port Authority and the Housing Authority.