Despite pleas from the family who own and operate the Whoopee Bowl, Springfield Township officials will seek bids to demolish what they consider a ‘dangerous building.?
The owners have the option of razing the structure themselves before the board takes a formal vote Aug. 12, but the operator vowed last week to appeal the board’s ruling.
Township trustees voted 5-2 on Thursday, June 10 to develop a ‘request for proposals? to demolish the entire structure. The vote came after the management of the Dixie Highway establishment failed to persuade the board to give them more time.
Last week’s ‘show cause hearing? came after the Whoopee Bowl’s failure to comply with a March 2003 order proceeding from a ‘dangerous building hearing.?
The ‘finding of fact? from the 2003 hearing ? based on a professional engineer’s inspection ? lists seven specific ‘defects? to the building, including a partially collapsed roof, obstructed doors and stairway, openings at several locations, debris to the point of making the building ‘a dumping ground,? a large crack in an exterior wall and open and unstable storage trailers.
The hearing order directed the owner to effect repairs to all doors and windows and to clean up debris. In addition, an engineering study was to have taken place for a more comprehensive repair, with that plan to be subject to review of the township building department.
Larry Marlowe, who operates what used to be a a popular flea market and salvage operation, said almost all the items in that report were accomplished, and that a structural engineer certified that most of the building is ‘safe.?
‘Almost everything requested of us has been done,? Marlowe said, noting the expenditure of more than $25,000 in the past year for cleanup and repair. He said the building and site look as good as it ever has since it opened in 1947.
The section which has the collapsed roof has been sealed off, he said, but the cost of repairing it is prohibitive.
‘Until we have the funds to proceed with our intended projects, we really do not see the need to invest more of our depleting cash flow funds into repairing the existing roof.?
Those projects include a possible renovation into other retail space, with residential construction on part of the property, or razing the existing store to make way for new commercial and residential buildings.
Time and money are both problems, Marlowe said, with his family (including his mother, who owns the property) suffering from ill health and himself recently being diagnosed with a ‘potentially fatal debilitating disease.?
In addition, while the store has not offered public hours for more than two years, Larry Marlowe said he is still trying to sell merchandise to wholesalers and believes he should be allowed to recoup some of that investment.
‘These still have dollar value,? he said. ‘I will not remove these items until they are all sold.?
Because he has other work priorities, Marlowe said the cleanup will take more time, perhaps up to another year.
‘I fail to see how this constitutes a dangerous building,? he said, given the progress they have made.
The majority of trustees were not sympathetic. Clerk Nancy Strole said a recently as May 12-13, she saw the state of one section of the building through an open window.
‘There was much debris from the roof that had collapsed into the building,? she said, expressing concern that Marlowe takes customers into the building.
‘Have your read the dangerous building ordinance lately?? Supervisor Collin Walls asked Marlowe.
‘Nope. Never saw it,? Marlowe replied.
‘The very fact that the building is open to the elements meets the definition to classify it as a dangerous building,? Walls said, noting there had already been one extension granted because of inclement weather.
Walls said Marlowe could appeal the township board’s decision to circuit court within 21 days, and Marlowe later said he would do so.