Lots sold in downtown Hartley

Two empty lots are now off the city's books in Hartley.

Stephane Comtois, owner of Hartley Cold Services, was the winning bidder of both 170 S Central Ave. (formerly Create-A-Craft) and 176 S Central Ave. (formerly Real Reflections salon). The city tore down both buildings recently due to their dilapidated condition.

Comtois submitted bids of $1,000 apiece for the lots, which was the minimum amount set by the council. He was the lone bidder for both.

The old Create-A-Craft building was acquired by the city from former owner Mary Rons after it was determined to be a safety and health hazard. A majority of it was removed in 2023, which revealed issues with the adjoining wall at Real Reflections. Moisture had penetrated between the buildings for decades and once the salon's wall was revealed, problems began to develop for owner Tricia Elgersma.

The beautician moved her operations across the street to Salon West, which she has since purchased. Her old building was removed this summer along with the remaining portion of Create-A-Craft.

Comtois did not reveal his plans for the lots during the meeting.

• More discussion on brown water

Residents Richard and Heidi Stetler addressed the council about brown water at their residence at 320 2nd St. NW. Like other residents in town, the Stetlers have been plagued by discolored water that dirties sinks, ruins clothes and mucks up other household chores.

"You can't cook, you can't shower, you can't wash," Heidi said. "It's just weird."

The city is attempting to pinpoint the source of the brown water, which affects households at random across town. Water leaving the city plant is clear, but somewhere along the way it can get discolored.

Water Superintendent Terry Hilbert flushed mains in the Stetlers' neighborhood recently in an effort to clear things up. While the Stetlers' water was brown, their neighbors' water across the street was clear.

"Right now, it's a mystery," said Mayor Rodney Ahrenstorff. "We're at a loss really about what's happening inside,"

The Stetlers have observed that the brown-orange material in the water will settle over time if it's allowed to set. Richard said discoloration typically occurs on Tuesdays for them, and the couple has gotten in the habit of checking the toilet water in the morning to see if it's clear and usable.

The Stetlers said they have a whole-house water filter and other clarification aids, but they don't help.

"We've lost a lot of bedding and clothing, which is expensive," said Heidi.

The couple asked if there was anything residents could do to help with the issue. The city will keep trying to find the root of the problem, but removal and replacement of old mains will take time and money if they are determined to be the source of discoloration.

"We're not giving up on it," said Council Member Nick Galm.

• Structural assessment of Capitol Theatre

Engineer Wes Boyer, of Bolton & Menk, reviewed a structural assessment of the former Capitol Theatre building on Central Avenue. Though analysts were not able to access the inside of the north building that abuts the theater, measurements indicated that two walls exist between the structures.

The council would like to tear down the building within the next year. Its removal has been stalled, as the city is hoping to get state funding to help offset costs.

"Basically, we'd begin demolition on the south side moving to the north very, very carefully," said City Administrator Roxann Swanson. "When they get to the north wall, they'll basically have to start manually deconstructing it."

An adjoining garage was removed this summer in the back of the building. Swanson said the theater's removal is a priority for the city.

"We are going to have to move forward with something because that roof is starting to cave in," she said. "We're just going to have to be really careful."

Swanson once again plans to apply for an Iowa DNR Derelict Building Grant, which would help offset costs. Hartley previously received a grant to assist with hazardous material removal from the building's interior.

Hartley officials earlier this year applied for a Derelict Building Grant worth $75,000 to help with demolition of the building, but they were denied. The estimated price tag for removal has ranged between $110,000-$185,000.

To bolster its odds at getting funding, Swanson said the city must determine what will become of the space once the building is removed.

"They like to see plans for it once it's gone...that it just won't be empty space," she explained.

The council expressed interest in turning the area into off-street parking space for renters in downtown apartments. More discussion will take place at future meetings.

The city has owned the old theatre since October of 2020 after acquiring it from Dwight and Darla Jacobs, of Spirit Lake. The arrangement ended months of legal wrangling, which began in 2019 after the council declared the dilapidated former theater a dangerous building on the advice of O'Brien County Environmental Health Specialist Jonathon Hintz.

The theater was built in 1925 and has a deteriorated roof, extensive interior water damage and severe mold issues.