Winneshiek County Board votes to tear down the North Building at Wellington Place

On a 4-1 vote Monday afternoon, the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors voted to "deconstruct" the North Building at Wellington Place.

The vote followed a public hearing on the future of the building.Winneshiek County Historic Preservation Commission Secretary David Stanley described the North BUilding as "a significant historical building," but he added that mothballing the building for future use would take "Several 100-thousands of dollars."  If a renovation of the building were attempted, it would "drain the county," predicted Stanley.

But Decorah resident Kyrl Henderson argued that "the decision is being made in haste."  Henderson noted that the WCHPC hadn't even had enough time to vote on a recommendation on the future of the building.

Decorah resident Gerald Harvey said a critical report by the State Fire Marshal's Office was being cited as a reason for the demolition, but Harvey passed out copies of the report and underscored that nowehre on it was the North Building mentioned.

But Decorah farmer Paul Hunter said no one has stepped up to pledge money for the renovation of the building.  "We're hearing a lot of maybes," he noted.  Concluded Hunter, "I do not want the county footing that bill."

WCHPC member Steve Johnson said any renovation of the building would have to be justified by a business plan "to show the realities of this."  Johnson said no one has come forward with such a plan.  But Henderson responded by calling it "a chicken or the egg situation," saying proponents of renovation couldn't begin fundraising or applying for grants until they owned the building.