WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
The next step regarding a White Pigeon landmark may involve a rarely used panel to potentially decide the fate of the historic building.
St. Joseph County District Court Judge Jeff Middleton and the parties involved in the case of the Tasty Nut Shop met Wednesday to compare notes and decide what happens next.
Through their attorney Roxanne Seeber, it was confirmed White Pigeon officials remain convinced the 150-year-old building that housed the Tasty Nut Shop and Silver Spoons Catering is a threat to the public and should be demolished.
Paul Morgan, an attorney representing its owner, Union Hall Block Building Inc., said a plan is in place to begin correcting architectural flaws. Those corrections, he said, would address the most-immediate public-safety concerns.
Middleton said the village is not seeking an order of compliance with codes and ordinances. Rather, it’s obvious the village’s only position is that the three-story, brick building be razed, he noted. Seeber confirmed Middleton’s assessment.
Doug Kuhlman, village zoning administrator, said a structural engineer has already concluded the building has outlived its life, is beyond repair and is in a state of collapse.
Nonetheless, he said the next step will involve input staged during a Dangerous Building Hearing, a process he said he hasn’t been a part of in nearly 20 years.
He explained it involves assembling an unspecified number of people not from the area and with no personal or financial interest in the property. They will be overseen by an officer, also with no bias toward the situation.
