Article Summary: The Casey City Council has awarded a $42,120 contract to Dirt Work Incorporated for the demolition of a dangerous and unsafe building at 204 S. Central. The city is taking action due to public safety concerns and will place a lien on the property to recoup the costs.

Demolition of 204 S. Central Key Points:

• The council approved the demolition contract during its meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025.
• The property owner has failed to take responsibility for the deteriorating building, forcing the city to intervene.
• Once demolition is complete, the city will foreclose on a lien placed on the property to recover the taxpayer funds used.

The Casey City Council on Monday, October 6, 2025, voted to move forward with the demolition of a deteriorating downtown building deemed a threat to public safety. The council awarded a $42,120 contract to Dirt Work Incorporated to tear down the property at 204 S. Central.

City Attorney Tracy Willenborg explained that the city was forced to act after the property owner failed to address the building’s hazardous condition.

“The property owner is not taking responsibility. It’s a dangerous, unsafe building,” Willenborg told the council. “This is one of those circumstances that unfortunately the city’s going to have to act in the interest of the public to protect the health and safety of the public.”

The process is in accordance with state statutes. The city will pay for the demolition upfront and then place a lien on the property for the full amount. “We’ll foreclose on that lean,” Willenborg added, noting that while the city may not recover the full cost due to the owner’s other pending legal issues, protecting the public was the primary concern.

The contract requires the demolition to begin within 15 days and be completed within seven days of the start date. Council members expressed reluctance but agreed on the necessity of the action. “I’ve been watching that crack,” one alderman commented, referencing the building’s visible decay.