Condemned building comes tumbling down

BUCYRUS – A rickety, three-story, brick structure on West Mansfield Street in Bucyrus, condemned by the city in early April, didn't put up much of a fight Tuesday afternoon when a small demolition crew arrived to take it down.

Shortly after a large, red excavator and a handful of workers from Quinn's of Bucyrus began raising dust in the rear of 209 W. Mansfield St., spectators began to stake out positions around the block to watch the destruction.

Demolition is scheduled to continue Wednesday on the front of the structure, which will force the city to close that portion of West Mansfield Street for a time.

"It's a huge event," city law director Robert Ratliff said of the demolition.

The property is owned by Ronald Worchester, of Indian Valley Properties in Willard, who also owns several other buildings in Bucyrus, including Indian Valley Apartments on Beverly Drive. He rents out many other single-family homes and apartments here as well. The structure at 209 W. Mansfield St. used to house several apartments but has been vacant for several years.

As it was coming down Tuesday, the building appeared to be largely empty, though an old refrigerator did come tumbling to the ground at one point.

"He's free to do with the property as he sees fit, as long it is complies with zoning regulations," Ratliff said, adding that the small house immediately to the east of the demolished structure might now be more attractive for investment.

"Quite frankly, it could be very nice. It's one of the oldest buildings in the city," the law director said, adding that it's structurally sound.

In recent months, some members of the Bucyrus City Council have discussed acquiring properties close to downtown for parking but 209 W. Mansfield St. has not been part of the discussion.

"It's kind of a wish list," Ratliff said. "There are no identified properties."

Last week, Worchester's attorney, Paul Hoeffel, of Bucyrus, appealed the city's order to tear the structure down by June 7, asking for more time to complete the task, but the city was not receptive to the request. Hoeffel was not available for comment Tuesday.

Two other condemned structures along West Mansfield Street will be coming down soon. Ratliff said a demolition permit has been issued for a yellow apartment building at 241 W. Mansfield, which could be torn down any day, while a small, blue house at 210 W. Mansfield, across from the brick building being demolished this week, is already being dismantled by its owner, Ed Gingery.

Early last month, city officials put up barriers around the vacant building at 209 W. Mansfield St. after a utility worker noticed some serious deficiencies in the structure. The roof was collapsed and the walls were bowing, inward on two sides and outward on another.

With the building gone, there will still be 13 condemned structures in Bucyrus. Last year, the city adopted the 2012 International Property Maintenance Code, which establishes minimum maintenance standards for building owners. It also moved responsibility for seeing that the code is followed from the city's fire department to the code enforcement officer, currently John Rostash.

The process of condemning unsafe structures in Bucyrus is now handled by what Rostash has described as a three-point partnership involving his office, the city law director and the fire department.

thill3@nncogannett.com

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Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ