Old Kenyon High School will be demolished

The old high school in Kenyon is going to get demolished, thanks to Goodhue County’s recent agreement with the city.

At their County Board meeting Tuesday, commissioners unanimously voted to enter into a cost-share agreement with the city that would have each entity essentially splitting abatement and demolition of the former Kenyon High School.

The school building has been unoccupied, but that isn’t the main problem. It is contaminated with asbestos and often sees trespassers, many times “curious young people,” Commissioner Dan Rechtzigel said. There have also been break-ins by people stealing items such as copper.

“The city is taking a tremendous, tremendous responsibility here in taking the lead on this,” Rechtzigel said of its plans to finally demolish the hazardous building.

Goodhue County’s agreement with Kenyon states that the county would provide 50 percent of the costs, up to $150,000 of cash assistance.

“The county would never have more cash into this project than the city,” said Ron Zeigler, president of Community and Economic Development Associates.

Aside from monetary support, the county will also provide what it can in the form of available staff time, Sentence to Service staff and assorted equipment.

“I think it’s great that we can work together on this,” Chair Richard Samuelson said.

According to a project timeline developed by the city, abatement plans, demolition plans and bidding documents will be prepared throughout August. They will be brought to the Kenyon City Council for approval at its Sept. 11 meeting. By October, contracts for the jobs are expected to be awarded.

The city hopes that demolition can be completed sometime during the summer of 2013.

“The thought then is to have it backfilled and seeded,” Zeigler said of the site.

In addition to approving the project agreement on Tuesday, the County Board also approved a proposal that would put the title of the former high school in the hands of the city.

“I think we’re only happy to hand over the ownership of this building to you folks,” Rechtzigel said.

The board unanimously agreed.

Tags: goodhue county, county board, news