Owner loses fight to save house

A local property owner lost the fight to save her property as the Fort Scott City Commission moves forward with demolition.

Marsha Cowen owns the property located at 102 S. Hill which was condemned by the city on May 6, 2008, because it was deemed unsafe. Cowen and her family have owned the property for approximately a year and were looking to gain one more month to make the standing structure safe.

"It would be a shame to tear this building down," Cowen said.

During the regular Fort Scott City Commission meeting Tuesday, Cowen told commissioners the Hill Street property was the last of 12 properties she and her family have restored in Fort Scott. She said they have replaced the broken windows and are waiting for the weather to cooperate in order to fix the foundation and roof. Fort Scott City Code/Zoning Administrator Amanda Proffitt said this property was the only property owned by Cowen to be condemned and that is should have been moved up the list.

Proffitt added there has not been any work until two weeks ago and the work that has been done was done illegally because no permits have been filed.

Neighborhood resident Michael Bryant approached the commission in support of Proffitt. He said the property has been an eyesore for about 10 years. Another neighborhood property owner, Jim Shoemaker, also approached the commission in support of Proffitt and the demolition of the structure.

Despite Cowen's work around the city with other properties, the commission voted unanimously to move forward with the demolition. Cowen's property was one of four scheduled for demolition: the structure and shed at 914 E. Wall St., the garage at 1523 E. Wall St., and the structure at 201 N. Crawford St., will also be demolished.

The commission also conducted the following business on Tuesday:

* Approved to spend up to $20,000 on a new vehicle for the chief of police. The chief said he will be shopping locally for a used car.

* Accepted the Fire Department's application for the Fire Prevention Grant. The application requests $16,000 for a fire extinguisher training system as well as repairs and upgrades to the fire safety trailer. The grant would require the city to match 5 percent of the total cost.

* The Fire Department was given approval to apply for the Firefighting Apparatus Vehicle Grant for the amount of $225,000. The money would go toward the purchase of a new truck to replace the oldest of the fleet. The grant would require the city to match 10 percent of the total cost.

* Accepted an Agreement of Easement for the property at 705 S. National. The easement was acquired for repairs on the deteriorating retaining wall near 7th Street and National Avenue.

* City Attorney Bob Farmer informed the commission that citizens who would like to file a complaint to the Federal Communication Commission against Suddenlink can pick up information from City Hall.

* Authorized the return of a police motorcycle which was donated to the department sometime during the 1990's. The motorcycle has not been used in years.

* Decided to provide The Bourbon County chapter of the American Red Cross with $2,500. The city will evaluate its budget in August and determine if another $2,500 would be available.

* Approved the application by the city for funding from the Kansas Department of Transportation through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funding requested would be for the resurfacing of National Avenue from Wall Street to Sixth Street and National Avenue from Linker Street to Wall Street.

* Fort Scott Director of Economic Development Dale Bunn informed the commission the Phoenix Committee has a surplus of $400,000. The commission approved the committee's requests to KDOT for the uses of extra funds.