Demolition order affirmed for lot in Northgate Mobile Home Community

Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Dennis Manuwal, Plymouth Building Commissioner, provided members of the Board of Public Works and Safety with an update on the Northgate Mobile Home Community on Monday evening.

Manuwal said the home that sits on lot 23 started the whole issue with the community, and as he investigated, more issues throughout the community were uncovered. The owner of lot 23 was located and is currently housed in the Marshall County Jail. A demolition order was sent for the property and delivered to the owner in jail.

Monday evening, the Board of Public Works conducted an evidentiary hearing, allowing the board to affirm the decision to demolish the structure, rescind the demo order, or the chance to modify the order.

The building commissioner said an eviction order had already been set, and the structure was not in a habitable condition. He also said it was too expensive to fix all the noted issues.

When the owner’s time to present to the Board came, he was not in attendance; he had not sent someone to speak for him, and he didn’t ask for additional time since he was incarcerated. Attorney Houin said the owner did not make any attempt to contact the city about the demolition order.

The Board of Public Works and Safety unanimously affirmed the demolition order for Lot 23.