Town will clean up burned house

A burned-out house that has been the focus of concern in Coulee Dam will soon be razed.

Coulee Dam Mayor Greg Wilder said last week that he has received indication of cooperation of the property owner to assist the town in covering the expenses of tearing the house down and cleaning the property.

The house at 609 Holly Street burned about two years ago and residents along the street have been raising their voices to get the property cleaned up.

Just recently, one of the wind storms added fuel to the fire as two very large limbs were torn from the trunk of the tree and dumped on the property. One burned evergreen tree was already on the property.

Wilder said city crews will be assigned the task of razing the building and cleaning the property.

Owner Jimmy Sales, whose parents owned The Green Hut, said that he would be cooperative in the matter. Wilder said the agreement was reached three weeks ago.

The mayor said it was hoped that the property would be cleaned up by winter.

The town earlier tried to find the right way to clean up the property and advertised for demolition bids, but the lowest bid was close to $23,000, far more than the property value.

The town crew will demolish the building, take out the concrete foundation, remove the debris and have the property ready for development.

Wilder said other owners of properties in violation of nuisance codes have also been notified of the town’s “intent to be more aggressive” in such matters.