Time is running out for the old Farmland plant in Albert Lea.

Wednesday, March 20, 2002

Time is running out for the old Farmland plant in Albert Lea. Eight days remain before the city of Albert Lea can finally begin taking steps toward the demolition of the structures that were damaged in the fire in July of 2001.

Nearly two weeks ago the city set the process in motion with the filing of papers that ask for an official statement of Farmland’s intentions in regards to the factory.

According to city officials, Farmland is more than willing to agree to the demolition request, but is dependent on its’ insurance companies’ cooperation – and that hasn’t been forthcoming.

In fact, the city expects the insurance companies to try to intervene in the process, said Paul Sparks, city manager.

So far the eight companies involved haven’t acted officially, but the informal contacts Sparks has maintained with insurance company representatives lead him to believe that intervention is likely.

Any attempt to intervene would require a court hearing, which would likely lead to a delay in any demolition process. The delay could be as long as six or seven weeks, Sparks said. And asking for things to be accelerated doesn’t always make a difference, because the court calendar is already busy, he said.

The city wants the buildings down as soon as possible, because of ongoing health and safety concerns.

&uot;I am concerned about it; because they’re kind of attractive, curiosity could be a problem,&uot; Sparks said. But portions of the buildings continue to collapse. Already last year, the engineers who were inspecting the damage weren’t able to get into some parts of the structure, because damage was so severe.

&uot;The building was unstable and things have gotten worse over the winter,&uot; he said.