By Joe Slacian The Paper
WABASH,IN City Building Commissioner John Stephens has ordered asbestos tests on two homes prior to demolition, the Wabash Board of Public Works and Safety learned Thursday, July 21.
The homes are located at 494 N. Miami St. and 107 Walnut St.
The Wabash Board of Public Works and Safety ordered the North Miami Street home demolished when it met July 7.
The home is owned by Begler Properties of Pueblo, Colo. At the July 7 meeting, Stephens told the board several things about the home, including the fact that a door to a crawl space is open, allowing people or animals access. The board declared the home unsafe and ordered it demolished.
Joseph Harter, owner of the Walnut Street home, told the board that he would like to deed the property over to the city.
With the asbestos tests ordered, Stephens told the board that the city could receive bids to demolish the North Miami Street home at its next meeting, Aug.4.
Since the Walnut Street home was deeded to the city, Mayor Scott Long said that city crews could demolish it. The property, he said, could eventually be turned over to Habitat for Humanity.