The City of Grant City is seeking to demolish the Masonic Lodge building on the Grant City Square, but they found out that the building is attached to the adjacent building on the southeast corner of the Square. The owners of the building in question, Rick and Cindy Frese, at a condemnation hearing Wednesday at the Grant City Council Meeting, refused to sign off on demolishing their building, saying that it still could be salvaged.
The hearing in question was a show cause hearing for the owners to show why the building should not be demolished. The city was represented in the proceeding by attorney Taryn Henry.
Ms. Henry called City Administrator Lizzie Jeanes as a witness. Ms. Jeanes showed Exhibit C, showing the front of the building. It consisted of pictures taken over a three month period showing that a crack in the front of the building is getting bigger. Exhibit D showed the back of the building showing the anchors holding the building and the part of the building that has already collapsed.
Ms. Henry then proceeded to show Exhibit A, the city’s code on dangerous buildings; Exhibit B, the condemnation and demolition order of 318 South Main Street in Grant City filed November 3rd, 2023, and Exhibit E, the building inspection of 320 South Main dated May 27th, 2026. Ms. Jeanes testified that Exhibit A was the current city code on dangerous buildings.
Ms. Jeanes quoted from the May 27th, 2026 report on the buildings which stated, “This building has been considered previously as two separate buildings with a shared center wall. This building is a single building, and the two property spaces are only separated by a wood-framed bearing wall, not a masonry wall.” The report continued, “Demolition and reconstruction costs are expected to be far greater than the land and building values. Norton and Schmidt Engineers recommends obtaining three competitive bids for cost comparison. She testified that there has been discussion, but there has been no solution, that the building is a danger to the health, safety, and general welfare of the community, and that the city should condemn the other half of the building that has already been condemned so it can be demolished before it hurts someone.
Residents of the housing unit adjacent to the building in question have expressed concern over the past few years that the building in question could collapse and hurt someone and/or render the unit unlivable. Recently, the back end of the Masonic Lodge building collapsed, prompting the city to accelerate proceedings to get it demolished.
Mr. Frese said that his building was in good condition, that it was possible to save, that he felt he deserved compensation for his side of the building, and that he did not give consent to demolish his side of the building. He said that it was not his job to get competitive bids to cut the beams and shore up the wall; it was the job of the contractor. “No,” responded Mayor Debbie Roach, “The contractor will demolish the Masonic Lodge building only; it is an emergency demolition grant.”
They then clashed over the assessed valuation of the building. Mr. Frese said the building was assessed at $36,000; Ms. Jeanes said that it was assessed at $32,120. “No,” said Mr. Frese, “It has to be more than that; the land and building are worth much more than that.” “That is the assessed valuation from the assessor’s office,” said Ms. Jeanes.
Mayor Roach said, “The city is not responsible for any compensation. We are just trying to get a grant to remove the danger. Are you willing to pay the costs out of pocket it will take to clean up the building after it falls because you didn’t sign off on the demolition?” “I’ve been advised not to discuss,” responded Mr. Frese. “So if we wipe our hands clean of this, and the building collapses, could anyone who is injured, or the property owner of the apartments next door sue Rick?” Mayor Roach asked Ms. Henry. “Absolutely,” responded Ms. Henry.
The council voted to allow Mr. Frese to obtain a lawyer and reconvene on August 26th at 6:00 pm to proceed further.
Lizzie Jeanes reported that the CBDG demolition grant has been submitted and that the council should hear something by September. She reported that the Masonic Lodge building is moving more and more with each rain they get. She reported that after one recent rain, the northwest corner, which is adjacent to the housing, is trying to fall off. She reported that the asbestos has been removed from the building, and the DNR is satisfied with that. The emergency grant has not been submitted.
Ms. Jeanes reported getting compliance from most letters of violation that the city had sent out last month. The city mowed two properties that were in violation of weed ordinances.
The council left the property tax rates unchanged for the upcoming tax year.
Ryan Fletchall presented three bids for smoke testing machines. DSG bid $2,455. Core & Main bid $2,621.95. Hurco bid $3,399.00. The council voted to purchase the smoke tester from DSG with some liquid smoke; the amount of which will be determined by shelf life.
The City put in tubes at the ball field, fixed a leak at 8th & Francis, and fixed the main that runs between the Richey and Hall properties. The city put in a new drain at the new shelter house.
Tyson Troutwine reported that the tubes at the ball field were almost done; they have a lot of dirt to haul in, but the city part of the project is almost completed. The city will be cutting brush and mowing right of ways.
The council approved a building permit for Dalton Miller.
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