MONTE VISTA— The City of Monte Vista Urban Renewal Authority met last Monday, October 8 for their monthly meeting, where they discussed obtaining properties with tax liens, an RFP for the property at 117 Adams Street and an RFP for hazardous materials in their spot blight demolition.

City Manager Forrest Neuerburg stated the city has run into issues with inspecting some of the properties being considered for the URA’s rehabilitation or demolition grant because the city does not have the right to enter properties that are under tax liens, and the county cannot provide the city with that ability. Only the original property owners can provide permission to enter the properties.

However, in the case of roughly five properties, Neuerburg stated the city can explore Involuntary and Eminent Domain Acquisition for some of the properties the URA is considering for demolition under the City’s Dangerous Building Code. Neuerburg noted two of the following three officials, city manager, chief of police and building inspector, must agree to pursue the process and noted two portions of the code that would apply to some of the properties the URA is considering for demolition to be considered a dangerous building:

Sec. 14-6-70 (4). “Whenever any portion thereof has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood or any other cause, to such an extent that the structural strength or stability thereof is materially less than it was before such catastrophe and is less than the minimum requirements of the building code for new buildings of similar structure, purpose or location.”
Sec.14-6-70 (8) “Whenever the building or structure, or any portion thereof, because of: a) dilapidation, deterioration or decay; b) faulty construction; c) the removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; d) the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or e) any other cause; is likely to partially or completely collapse.”

If a building is found to meet the dangerous building requirements, the city can begin the eminent domain process if it is approved in advance by DOLA. Neuerburg stated the city will look into beginning the process next month. Commissioner Carol Schroeder expressed frustration with hitting another roadblock in the property acquisitions, noting “Another year has gone by with us doing nothing,” but acknowledged several steps have been taken and added “nothing the public can see.”

Some of the properties the URA is looking into obtaining are awaiting environmental inspections, which URA consultant Mark Garcia explained. Two of the houses have had hazardous material testing, with the results for one being “very hot” and one “unclear.” Garcia stated some of the properties are also awaiting a signoff from the State Historical Preservation Office to ensure the buildings are not historically significant in a way that would hinder their demolition or rehabilitation. Garcia also explained he is looking into a list of History Colorado approved contractors, including one firm in La Jara.

Garcia also presented a proposed draft RFP for the property at 117 Adams Street which was recently donated to the URA. Garcia stated the RFP is similar to the one used for the Vali Theater when it was donated to the city, to ensure interested parties are prepared with a viable business plan and finances to start a business in the property and the drive to improve upon the building and the downtown area. The RFP states, “The MVURA is seeking proposals from interested non-profits, developers, businesses or individuals who can illustrate their ability to utilize the facility in a business venture that creates measurable economic development and benefit.”

There were several stipulations to ensure the bidder would use the building “to promote economic development and downtown prosperity,” “create new quality and desirable jobs” and generate sales taxes to the city. Garcia noted the RFP includes a stipulation that at the end of an agreed-upon term, for example five years, if the proposed business is in good standing and has met all of the requirements, the URA could divest itself of the property and potentially give it to the business owner.

There are several proposal requirements a potential bidder must meet.

The RFP opened on Oct. 15 and proposals are due on Nov. 30, with a decision ideally made by Dec. 31. A site visit for bidders is scheduled for Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information or a copy of this RFP, please contact Neuerburg at 719 852-2692 or email [email protected]. It will also be published in multiple outlets.
Commissioner Andrew Roepke noted “This separates the men from the boys…I think it looks really good,” a sentiment which was echoed by the rest of the commissioners before they approved the RFP.

The URA also reviewed and approved another RFP for HAZMAT contractors for the URA’s spot blight project. Garcia explained companies must provide a list of the equipment they will utilize, at least three references and proof of insurance in addition to several other requirements to ensure the contractor has the experience and expertise needed to handle the variety of potentially hazardous materials found in the spot blight demolition process.