Oneota Historic Future Alliance: "We're broke"

While the controversy over demolition of the North Building at Wellington Place continues, the group that tried to save the Caretaker's House at Wellington Place says it does not have the money to pay for the costs of demolition of that building.

Winneshiek County signed an agreement with the Oneota Historic Future Alliance that gave OHFA time to try to find a tenant for the Caretaker's House.  Under the terms of the agreement between Winneshiek County and OHFA, OHFA agreed to pay the costs of demolition of the Caretaker's House if it couldn't find a tenant for the building.  When no tentant was found, the building was torn down--at a cost of $10,400.

Winneshiek County later gave OHFA the opportunity to pay $5,000 to fully satisfy their obligations if the money was given to Winneshiek County by December 31st.

County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten then sent a letter to OHFA president Jim Burns, reminding OHFA that it had missed the deadline and asking whether OHFA would be interested in setting up a payment schedule to resolve the matter without additional expense to either party.

Burns' letter in response to Van Der Maaten says OHFA is aware of the financial situation involving the Caretaker's House.  He points out that the $5,000 that the group had earlier given to Winneshiek County was applied largely to an asbestos abatement bill.  Concludes Burns, "We are unable to pay anything additional towards (the Caretaker's House) removal."