Plymouth City Council approves seeking additional funds to demolish The Pointe

The Plymouth City Council unanimously approved seeking an additional appropriation to move forward with the long-awaited demolition of The Pointe, a problem property that has been a public nuisance for the city.

The decision came during this month's council meeting, where officials discussed funding options for completing asbestos abatement and demolition work that was awarded in August 2025 but not included in this year's budget.

Building Commissioner Dennis Manuwal told the council the demolition cost with asbestos abatement is approximately $85,000, but his department's budget lacks sufficient funds to complete the work.

Mayor Robert Listenberger presented two options to the council: secure the structure and wait until next year, when funds could be appropriated, or seek an additional appropriation now to complete the demolition this year.

Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Gorski reported that only $51,000 remains in the Unsafe Building Fund, noting her "money tree is empty." The council would need to tap rainy day funds or other revenue sources to cover the demolition costs.

City Attorney Jeff Houin informed the council that the Indiana Attorney General's office holds a judgment lien on the property for approximately $400,000.

Houin has been in discussions with the Attorney General's office, but they are not taking action at this time. If the city proceeds with demolition, the AG will foreclose on the lien, resulting in either a sheriff's sale of the property or creating a mechanism where the city could acquire ownership or recoup only pennies on the dollar for demolition costs.

Councilman Randy Longanecker emphasized the ongoing public safety issues associated with The Pointe, noting the city has already fought battles over the building's status as a public nuisance.  "We've fought the battle already with the public nuisance of the building, and the police chief weighing in and having to send officers there," Longanecker said. "If we boarded the building up, potentially we could have that issue again."

His comments highlighted concerns that delaying demolition and simply securing the building could lead to continued police calls and security problems.

Mayor Listenberger recommended taking $34,000 from General Reserve Funds to cover the additional demolition costs, plus another $20,000 to replenish the Unsafe Building Fund, giving Manuwal resources to address other unsafe structures for the remainder of the year.

The City Council unanimously approved seeking the additional appropriation for the asbestos abatement and demolition of The Pointe, along with the supplemental funds for the Building Commissioner's use through year's end.