The property slated for demolition at 123 East Fort Wayne St., Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

WARSAW — The Board of Works and Public Safety approved the demolition of a house and garage near Central Park at its meeting Friday, March 6.

A satellite image from the Beacon System regarding the two structures slated for demolition at 123 East Fort Wayne St. Image provided by the City of Warsaw.

The property at 123 East Fort Wayne St., was recently purchased by the city. The house and secondary structure will be demolished by Steve’s Hauling, Excavating & Snow Removal LLC. The company offered the lowest quote at $7,500, according to City Plan Director Jeremy Skinner.

Steve’s Hauling will oversee the demolition of the house and secondary structure, removal of all utilities, foundation removal, disposal of material and rubble, sewage capping, backfilling and placement of six inches of topsoil and seed on all disturbed areas, according to city documents.

“Normally we wouldn’t do this,” said Skinner. The city advertised the demolition would pend approval from the board. “We wanted to hold true to that,” he said.

The Warsaw Police Department and Warsaw Wayne Fire Territory will use the two structures for training prior to demolition. After the demolition, the property will “be ready for the parks department to use in the future,” said Skinner.

The land will be used for a future garage for the parks department.

In another item, the board also approved the $10,000 that the Warsaw Police Department awarded the Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program at the Kosciusko County Jail. City Council voted to support the move at the March 2 Common Council meeting. The funds will go toward mental health treatment services in the program.

Other business included:

• The board approved the Warsaw Police to enter into a five-year agreement with Axon at $23,117.20 per year. The agreement will provide the department with updated taser equipment and training. The agreement will be paid out of the existing Machinery and Equipment fund for the department, according to city documents.
• The board approved the closure of Buffalo Street between Center Street and Main Street from 9 a.m. – Midnight, Saturday, March 14. The closure pertains to a non-city organized St. Patrick’s Day-themed event occurring on that block of Buffalo Street.

Mayor Joe Thallemer (left), Board of Works and Public Safety member George Clemens (center), and Board of Works and Public Safety member Jeff Grose (right). InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.