Ask Mr. Answer Person: "Is there a city ordinance that requires (Cho Sun) tears down or cleans up their property?"

2014's fire at Cho Sun

Steve e-mails Mr. Answer Person: "If Cho Sun has chosen not to rebuild, is there a city ordinance that requires they tear down or clean up their property?  I would think it could potentially be a safety concern as kids or other curious people would eventuall snoop or scavenge around the property."

Mr. Answer Person says, "The fire that gutted the Cho Sun building happened January 8th of 2014, so it's been more than a year now.

Both the Cho Sun owners and the City of Decorah are anxious to resolve the situation of having the building in its present condition.  However, Decorah attorney Dennis Larson, who represents the owners of the building, says they are still in negotiations with the insurance company about a settlement.

City Administrator Chad Bird says he has sent a letter to the owners, reminding them of the need to eventually do something with the property.  However, the City of Decorah and the Cho Sun owners have been on good terms during the time since the fire.  For instance, the Cho Sun owners did remove some damaged appliances and other items from the building earlier.

Bird says the situation will become more of a concern if it gets to be summer and there hasn't been action yet.  But for now the two sides are working together, hoping the insurance company settlement will be forthcoming.