mlive On Monday, Genesee County foreclosed on the Fenton seminary building, which has been unused since 1967. City of Fenton and county officials are uncertain about the future of the building and will seek an engineer to see how structural sound the FENTON, MI – The future is uncertain for a 155-year-old seminary that has lapsed into county hands. County Treasurer Deb Cherry said the county foreclosed on it on Monday for more than $20,000 in unpaid taxes. The property could eventually go up for auction or be transferred to Fenton control. We would work with the city in trying to take care of that property, she said. Officials with the city and county said they are uncertain if the structure is safe to maintain. A portion of the building collapsed in a November storm and city officials said more of the structure has collapsed in recent weeks. After discussion between the county and city, Fenton will put up a six-foot tall fence around the building and an engineer will visit the building soon to see if the building is structure of the building salvageable or if there is imminent danger of the building collapsing. We dont know what were going to find in there, said Brad Hissong, city building and zoning administrator. The building was built in 1867 had been a seminary for 18 years, a home for retired Baptist ministers, an apartment complex, a school and a convalescent home. It has been vacant since 1967. Hissong said multiple people have claimed to have land contracts for the spot, but the city is uncertain who had the deed before Genesee County took control of the land. The plot is registered with the National Historical Society but the city could still tear it down if presented an imminent danger, said Hissong.F Fenton seminary collapse caused by storm Fenton seminary collapse caused by storm, high winds on Nov. 18, 2013. Neighbor Cathy Althoff, who has lived near the building for 22 years, said she will miss seeing the beauty of the building outside her front window. Its sad but its been in ruins for a long time now, she said. No ones going to fix it. Vicki Leadbitter, a neighbor for five years, said there was more city officials worked harder with owners to keep the building maintained through grants. They couldve done more, she said. For years, city officials have said the buildings condition was concerning but now, City Manager Lynn Markland said, decisions have to be made on the structure and the cost of demolition. He said the city and county will sit down for meetings soon and that one option is placing demolition costs as a lien against taxes, but the cost could initially come from the city. Probably the next owner will pay for the demolition, he said. mlive
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 09:26:30 +0000
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