By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
A downtown building on the east end of Second Avenue near the Crystal Theatre is posted for demolition, setting up another chapter in a long-running dispute between the Weigel family and the City of Flandreau over property conditions and code concerns.
City officials have placed signage indicating the structure at 221 E. 2nd Ave. will be torn down. While demolition had been expected as soon as later this week, the timing is now likely to be pushed back, according to city sources.
The City has cited safety concerns tied to the building’s exterior condition. An engineering assessment completed by IMEG Corp. following a site visit on Sept. 24, 2024 concluded that deteriorating masonry presents a hazard to both occupants and the public.
In its written opinion, IMEG reported “wall cracking and spalling” on the north exterior brick and said the face brick “is a hazard to the occupants of the building and public walking outside the building,” recommending removal and replacement of spalling bricks, along with possible tuckpointing.
The report also documented corroded steel lintels with visible rust jacking and stated restoration work is needed to prolong their usable life.
More significantly, IMEG concluded the building’s south clay tile wall has failed and is “beyond being restored,” recommending it be demolished and rebuilt. The report warned portions of that wall could collapse and pose a hazard to both occupants and the public.
IMEG further described the roof structure as being in poor condition and said roof restoration — including replacement of the roofing membrane and damaged sheathing or purlins — is needed to prolong the life of the structure.
The Weigel family disputes the City’s characterization and says the building should not be demolished. Family members said the deteriorating material visible from the alley is largely cosmetic and does not represent the building’s structural integrity. They maintain the building is not condemned and said they have heard little from the City in recent months until the demolition notice appeared.
The family said their long-range plan has been to construct a 20-foot by 45-foot addition onto the building. According to them, that addition would cover the existing south center and south west exterior wall — the area identified in the engineering report — eliminating any risk on the back side of the structure while improving its overall appearance.
Family members say they are appealing to the public for support through a petition to keep the building standing and allow those improvements to move forward.
City officials, meanwhile, have pointed to a longer history of concerns and say the current action follows prior notices and discussions over repairs that did not materialize.
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