Copyright ABC17News.com
SEDALIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The City of Sedalia will reopen the 200 block of West Main Street this week, after months of it being closed. According to a social media post, the city will remove the plywood boards over the windows of a business across the street from buildings 207 and 209. Historic buildings 207 and 209 are falling apart, but the owners were given 60 days at a board of appeals meeting in October to either complete repairs or demolish the buildings. In the meantime, the city will place 2.5-ton concrete blocks in front of the deteriorating buildings and install a tall steel fence around them, according to the release. ABC 17 spoke with a pet grooming business across the street in August. The owners said that during heavy storms, the loose bricks in the building would fly out and hit their side of the street. According to the release, the city engineer has approved the new plan to open the street, saying the fence and concrete blocks will significantly reduce the chance of flying debris. The city and the owners are torn on what to do with the building. The city wants to demolish the buildings, claiming they are unsafe, but the owners argue they can still be saved. According to the city, as of Friday, no visible repairs have been made to the building since the board of appeals gave the owners the 60-day deadline. The city has also extended its bid acceptance period to Dec. 10 at 2 p.m., with demolition work expected to begin Jan. 5, depending on any further actions from the property owners.
