Elkhart County Commissioners accepted bids for the demolition of seven unsafe homes, including one owned by landlord Ron Davidhizar, who attended the Monday, Dec. 11 meeting to try to convince the board not to tear down his rental property. Photo by Getty Images.

News Release

GOSHEN — Local landlord Ron Davidhizar attended the Elkhart County Commissioners meeting Monday, Dec. 11 to try to convince the board not to demolish one of his rental properties.

The Commissioners accepted bids for the demolition of seven unsafe homes. Bidders were Dana Bontrager of Beaver Excavating; B&E Excavating; SAR Excavating; John Becher Sewer and Excavating; Jerry Reed Excavating; and John Moore Concrete.

Bids ranged from $5,375 to $64,875 for individual houses at 51841 E. County Line Rd., 54216 Southwood Dr., 58476 Ash Rd., 68023 US 33, 25220 CR 6, 30629 CR 22, and 50902 CR 15.

Present at the meeting were Davidhizar and Craig Blough of Bartel & Co. Realtors-Auctioneers on behalf of the US 33 property.

Davidhizar has been in collaboration with the auction company for several months to sell off some of his properties by absolute auction. The property at 68023 US 33 is scheduled for auction Saturday, Jan. 27.

Commissioner Brad Rogers informed the two that he does not intend to hold off on the demolition.

Davidhizar told the commissioners that all necessary repairs had been made on the property. Rogers asked why work on the property had continued after a stop-work order was placed on it, to which Davidhizar replied that he was told work could continue as long as no permit was needed.

Elkhart County Planning and Development Code Enforcement Investigator Fred Mock said he gave them a reminder when he saw people trimming back trees on the property and informed them that due to a stop-work order, any work requiring a permit could not be completed. One of the people on site replied they thought Davidhizar had gotten one.

Mock also noted a new water heater, structural work and plumbing, all of which require permits. Davidhizar stated he was not aware a permit was needed to in order to replace a water heater.

The commissioners approved bids for all seven properties, including Davidhizar’s US 33 property. The bids will most likely be reviewed and contacts approved in the next few weeks.

Other items before the board included:

• Elkhart County Highway Department Manager Charlie McKenzie informed the board that his team has completed a study of a local road and recommended lower speed limits. The speed limit at CR 22 in Goshen to CR 26 will decrease from an unposted 55 mph to 45 mph. CR 22 in Middlebury to CR 29 will decrease from an unposted 55 mph to 50 mph. The study also found that curve signage along this route is out of date and needs to be replaced.

• Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between the city of Elkart, the city of Goshen and Elkhart county for the annual Justice Assistance Grant of approximately $33,000.

• Commissioners approved performance and payment bonds a structured cable project with Martell Electric at the new courthouse.

• Commissions approved the contract, bond and certificate of insurance with R. Yoder Construction for the park’s bathroom renovation.