"What are you thinking?": Some thoughts on the purchase and demo of the old Chetek Cafe

All good things...

If you live around here then you know that the old Chetek Cafe building came down this week. On a frigid Monday morning the big rig from Stout Construction stuck its big claw into the west side of the building around 8 am and by 10 am the structure that began its life as part of the old Chetek school “way back in the day” before going through various phases of cafes and eateries has now gone the way of the dinosaur. As they say, all good things come to an end.

Courtesy of  Dahlhouse Enterprises

Later the next day

The city purchased the building back in May as part economic development and part municipal planning. We had a business owner who needed a buyer and another business owner who needed to expand. The city just greased the skids a bit, as it were, because we were interested in the location. At the time of the purchase our thinking was two-fold: if the Alano Club were interested in selling their building then perhaps we could look at both properties (as well as the one where City Hall now stands) as part of a future multi-governmental building hosting, say, City Hall and the Police Department. Or, if Alano preferred to stay put than market the lot as prime commercial property on Second Street.

Since the purchase, as you can imagine, many conversations have been taking place both at City Hall and all over town that run the gambit from the merely curious - “So, what will be going there in its place?” - to the clearly dumbfounded - “What was the city thinking when you did this?” I've heard several variations of either, I can assure you. I'm sure you have too. There are folks who think its a sign of progress and there are others who feel we just blew nearly a quarter of a million dollars for a whole lot of nothing (as well as a few more who are saddened that we were so eager to tip over one of the vintage structures in our community). Even among the council members – who voted unanimously for the purchase – sticker-shock began to set in as the estimates for abatement (the testing for and removal of asbestos) and demolition became evident. Who could blame them? It cost us $170,000 for the property, $2,100 to test for asbestos, $13,700 for removal of it and then $35,000 for demoltion. Do the math and that comes out to just shy of $221K for ultimately a vacant lot. What are we thinking?

Clearly opinions vary...

Not everybody thinks its a great idea

We purchased Cafe sight unseen. We didn't have a walk-through prior to purchase and the negotiating process was not that involved. We just wanted that property and the fact that it would help Norbert and Patty expand was a bonus. Once we took ownership of it and got a look-see it was clear that the stone structure in the back had serious foundation issues (as in a river runs through it). Initially, a few local business-owners approached us about the idea of renting

It was time

the building. But we were unwilling to put any money into it especially if we were going to raze it. And then once we got the estimates on abatement and demolition it became more worth to us as a vacant lot than an old, deteriorating structure that many considered an eye-sore. Otherwise, you're asking a future perspective business owner to pay $50K as well as the price of the lot before they've even turned over one bucket load worth of dirt. To us (that is, the Plan Commission and the Council) that seemed like a non-starter. Admittedly, none us anticipated the price tag for leveling the property to be so pricey but in for a penny, in for a pound. We had to see it through.

The sky wasn't falling
but the front end of the
building was!

“Think what the city could have done with that money?” someone asked me a few weeks ago. It's true. We could have spent the money differently – or not at all. If the Alano Club is not interested in moving then let's market the property as commercial real estate and see what we can see. If, however, they would be interested in selling their building then we should pause before we rush to sell. If you recall, last fall the front entrance of City Hall was temporarily closed as the cement facade above the doors is deteriorating. To repair it will cost us $30,000. Everything falls apart. If you're a homeowner you know this maxim to be true. Nothing stays the same. In recent years the current City Hall building twice has had to undergo significant improvements to address ongoing mold issues. Sooner or later, we're gonna need a new place to call home.

The future site of a new subdivision in our community

Since the purchase of the old Cafe as well as the old Jennie-O's breeder farm on the far west end of town, the Property Committee has been reestablished. Made up entirely of volunteers it will be their task to weigh the pros and cons of any future property purchases of the city and either recommend or pass on it. If they believe a piece of property should be acquired or a currently held property improved upon, they will pass their recommendation onto the Plan Commission who will also examine the matter and issue their opinion before it ends up on a council agenda item.

For example, we purchased the old Jost Law Office in 2016 with the intent of razing that structure for a future parking lot for The Center. It will now be the Property Committee's job to weigh that idea and determine if, indeed, that is the best use of that property. It may slow up the process but it also is a way to vette it. If they recommend demo and creation of a parking lot that decision will involve creating a new entrance for The Center on that side of the building. So several things need to be weighed before we go forward. And the two individuals who currently rent from us will also have to vacate. Like we are wont to say these days there are a lot of moving parts.

Time will only tell if the purchase of the cafe and the demolition of it was the best use of the taxpayers money. But speaking only for myself I believe we are investing in confidence – confidence in the future of our town. There is no free lunch. We all should know this by now. We can't have something for nothing (because even grant money comes from taxpayers). We all want to see Chetek continue to develop and grow. That requires a little faith, a little hope and a lot of love for the town we all call home.