Huntingburg seeking to resolve Dairyland property issues

Huntingburg may see some movement on the former Dairyland gas station at 802 N. Main St. that has sat vacant for many years.

Planning Director Paul Lake said that he had planned on having an onsite meeting with the property owner Thursday at 10 a.m. to inspect the buildings, but that meeting had been rescheduled.

City Attorney Phil Schneider explained he was told the property owner planned on demolishing all three buildings on the property. The property owner had contacted city officials about demolition requirements before any enforcement action proceeded, raising questions about whether the inspection process serves a purpose if demolition moves forward.

However, city officials express skepticism about the demolition timeline, citing the property’s history of unfulfilled promises. The site has experienced various issues since pumps were removed in 1999, with multiple discussions and plans that have not materialized.

An enforcement action has been under discussion for an extended period, with officials finally moving toward concrete steps. Whether the property owner’s demolition plans proceed before or after the city’s enforcement action remains unclear.

“I can’t be assured that they’ll follow even through on the demolition,” Mayor Neil Elkins said. “So we’re going to continue whatever we have to do at this point to be able to attach any fines or even at least a work order to other things to accomplish it.”

The property’s long history of issues, dating back to 1999, illustrates the challenges cities face when dealing with neglected properties and absent owners. Multiple discussions and proposed solutions have failed to resolve the situation over more than two decades.

City officials view the enforcement effort as worthwhile regardless of the demolition outcome. The process provides valuable experience for future cases involving vacant buildings, which the city plans to continue pursuing.

“If anything, it’ll be a learning experience for the next building that we’re going to go after, and we’ll continue going after the vacant buildings,” Elkins said.

He added that they plan to adapt successful approaches from other cities to strengthen their enforcement capabilities. The goal is to create a more efficient system that prevents lengthy delays and ensures property owners maintain their buildings appropriately.

The Dairyland property case will continue moving forward through the enforcement process, with officials prepared to impose fines or work orders as necessary to address building code violations and safety concerns.