WHITEHALL — The Whitehall city council addressed some of the abandoned buildings and planned commercial rehabilitation during Tuesday’s work session. The main point of concern has been abandoned buildings on Colby Street.
There were discussions of either demolishing the abandoned buildings or rehabilitating them for commercial use. Some council members hope for the buildings to draw new businesses in, bringing more job opportunities with them. But a concern of keeping the buildings open for commercial use is that they won’t receive the interest from potential businesses that the City of Whitehall hopes for.
“I have been here my whole life and there have always been abandoned buildings here, and it’s not good,” said council member Jeff Holmstrom. “You go to some other places, a building opens up and there are four people interested. We just don’t have that.”
With the possibility of demolishing the buildings, some council members were concerned money would come from the city’s general fund. City manager Scott Huebler said the demolition would be paid for by the city’s credit.
Council will continue this discussion and reach an agreement at a future meeting.
