The Owen Common Council held a special meeting at the Owen Community/Senior Center on 5th Street on Tuesday, September 22. The purpose of the meeting was to tour the building including the upstairs apartment and storage area.
After touring the building, discussion of what to do, primarily with the upstairs apartment began. Alderperson Ken Martine felt that if a substantial grant was available to remodel the apartment, he would like to know that information. Alderperson Pam Jaffke asked if it would need to be completely gutted. The feeling was that would not be necessary, although plumbing and electrical would need to be updated. Alderperson Bob Wilczek also felt the city should look into grants. He said that selling the building would not serve the community and that the building itself was sound. Alderperson Ray Kilty said you could drywall over what is already there. He said replacing the windows would be a huge expense and the city doesn’t have money for that. There was also discussion that the city got lucky having Tom Swiggum as a renter. They might be taking a risk with a new renter.
The bottom line for most council members was would the rent for the Senior Center portion of the building cover the bills. If it will they could leave the main floor and do nothing to the upstairs, at least for now. DPW Chad Smith was told to drain the water and make sure everything was unplugged. The city will leave the electric meter in place.
There was also a feeling among council members that there is no rush and they have time to consider whether they want to be landlords. Mayor Scott Jalling said if they sold the building, it would go on the tax roll. He added that if the buyer had money, they would be able to repurpose the building. It was noted that parking is also an issue as there is no real off-street parking, just an alley. This would be a problem with trying to convert the upstairs into two apartments.
In the end, the council voted to winterize the upstairs and postpone any decision on selling the building until they have more information, including about any grant possibilities. They will figure out the costs of having the building and whether the rent for the Senior Center will cover those costs or if they will have to dip into money in the Senior Center bank account. It will be put on the agenda every couple of months so as not to be forgotten.