PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Citing the cost of repairs and a lack of interest and demand for a portion of the property that once served as the Tater Meal facility at the Industrial Park, City Council voted unanimously June 16 to approve McCain Foods’ plan to demolish building 402.
In a memo to councilors and City Manager Jim Bennett, Industrial Council Executive Director Larry Clark explained the reasoning behind the plan.
“Following considerable deliberations by the Industrial Council and several meetings with McCain representatives, it was unanimously agreed that it would be in the better interest of both parties to demo the original building (402) and make certain improvements to the Annex building (402-A),” said Clark.
“The decision to demo 402 was based on a review of cost estimates for repairs; future costs to upgrade the building to meet current codes; the lack of interest or demand for such a large structure; and its overall poor condition and date of construction (1942),” continued Clark.
Bennett told councilors he and the city’s attorney were “comfortable with the plan.”
“The cost (for demolition) is being covered 100 percent by McCain’s … The city is receiving a quarter of a million in the form of demolition,” said Councilor Dick Engels, who, along with Councilor Randy Smith, serves as a member of the Industrial Council’s board.
In doing an inspection of the facility, Engels noted there were several issues that would have required significant repairs or upgrades.
“There were a number of support beams that were twisted. It needs a new roof, siding. Once you take the old siding off, then there are asbestos issues. It’s too expensive to renovate,” he said.
Smith noted that there was more value in the property with the building gone.
“When we looked at the notion of doing something with it and whether it had value, we thought the property had more value (with the building) gone,” said Smith.
Engels said it’s an industrial site and has more value with the structure removed.
“As long as someone wants to use it as an industrial site, they can use the slab that’s there. It shouldn’t be a problem,” said Engels. “The city should be grateful to McCain’s for living up to their responsibility.”
Councilors then voted to approve McCain Foods’ plan to demolish the building, as specified in Clark’s memo. Soderberg Construction, of Caribou, won the bid for the project.
In other business, councilors:
• Listened to the annual financial presentation.
City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will take place on Monday, July 7, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate.
For more information, call 760-2785.
