Brisk, breezy temperatures on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, may have prevented a crowd from gathering to watch–at long last–demolition of this residence at 703 W. Morris Street, Morrison, IL. At one time, it housed four apartments, based on “four furnaces [found] in the cinder block basement” stated Patrick Burke. He owns Burke Excavating, Inc., 25668 Jersey Road, Tampico, IL. In one day, Burke would rip the structure to shreds and load the debris into an open-top trailer owned by Ronald Hanson of Prophetstown, IL.
Burke admitted delays due to asbestos abatement and weather. However, he estimated 130 tons of material, spread over seven loads, would be deposited into Prairie Hill Recycling and Disposal Facility by sundown.
“There are no hazardous materials” involved, stated Ryan Marik, Construction Manager with Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation. RIEGC is the building’s recent owner.
The dwelling had been vacant for a number of years; it became a liability to the City of Morrison, explained City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen. Over the last 18 months, Administration and Council Aldermen worked in partnership with RIEGC to transfer ownership, execute demolition, and rehabilitate the lot. Tuesday, February 24, would see two goals accomplished.
Illinois State’s Attorney General Lisa Madigan awarded funds to RIEGC from a General Settlement Fund. It stemmed from the 2008 mortgage crisis, Dykhuizen said. These monies are used to make properties available for purchase, reclaiming neighborhoods and business areas.
To begin the sale of the property, the City paid for a licensed appraisal. The value was determined “negligible” with a $0 value.
The City executed a transfer declaration and agreed to convey the property to RIEGC for $1. Legal paperwork, a quitclaim deed, was received by Dykhuizen on Thursday, December 11, 2014.
“By partnering with RIEGC,” he stated, “the City [paid] no demolition funds….[We paid] just the appraisal cost at the front end. It’s been a good partnership.”
Marik stated, “We will have it down and hauled away by this afternoon. In the spring, we will [bring in] fill, reseed, and get it back to a buildable lot.”
Burke maneuvered the excavator to rip eaves before attacking a portion of the east roof. He then moved to the west Two stories of pristine interior doors are visible at left. The air contained particles of insulation, destruction, and reclamation.
