Politics & Government
Board Considering Demolition of City-Owned Scotti Road Residence
The house is now being leased for $1 to Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Services to house families in transition.
A representative of Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Services asked the Wentzville Board of Alderman at a meeting on June 12 for help with the maintenance of a city-owned residence that the city leases to them for $1.
Since 2007, Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Services has used the residence to home families in transition.
However, research by city staff indicates that it may be more cost-effective for the city to demolish the house rather than to fix it up.
Find out what's happening in Wentzvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Problems with the water service line have been estimated at almost $1000. Additional costs to address problems identified by the city's building inspector—including mold issues—could top another $1,800.
Among items noted by the building inspector were:- The garage being used as living space
- A rusted-through furnace flue
- Stair railing spindles that were loose and missing
- Clothes dryer vent hanging loose
- Electric receptacles installed backwards
- Smoke detectors not working
- Trash and debris in yard
- Water damage and mold on garage drywall
Sts. Joachim and Ann have already put $30,000 into repairs, Guccione said.
Alderman Rick Stokes said, "If we can’t make this habitable, if we can’t make it right, we might have to make a difficult decision."
"I have serious concerns about people living in a home with mold," Alderman Sonya Shryock said, "You open up the taxpayers to a lot of liability."
Alderman Chris Gard said that the house, which was donated to the city, "had been leased to a great organization."
Find out what's happening in Wentzvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"But now we’re talking about spending thousands and thousands to fix up a house we’ll eventually demolish," he said, referring to the city's plan's for the future Dave Hoekel Parkway.
The new roadway, a divided arterial limited-access roadway, would connect I-70 and US 61 in St. Charles County. The city purchased the Scotti Road property as part of that roadway's corridor.
The city's month-to-month lease with Sts. Joachim and Ann state that the tenant is responsible for repairs, including major mechanical systems and the roof.
Kross said that she was concerned about security at the residence. Currently no one lives there, and she felt that the homes' condition and isolation might lead to vandalism.
Stokes asked that the issue be put on the next agenda, with estimates for demolition.
Until then, he said, "Board it up."
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.