Council Delays Downtown Demolition

Officials Give Owner Chance to Repair Building

— A historic downtown building will have more time to repaired.

A ordinance to demolish the Jeff Brown building, 317 E. Emma Ave., was tabled at the City Council meeting Tuesday to allow the owner, Jim Cypert, to repair it. Cypert brought a contract to the council at a committee meeting that would begin the repair process.

“This contract will repair the outside, put on a roof and do some work on the inside,” Cypert said. “We would do more interior renovation when the building is leased.”

At A Glance

Council Action

Springdale’s City Council met Tuesday and approved:

-Using Garver for engineering oversight of the Don Tyson Parkway interchange on Interstate 540

-A settlement of a condemnation lawsuit for right of way on Johnson Road with Suzanne Henson and S-JAM4 for an additional $50,000

-An interlocal agreement for response to hazardous material incidents in Washington County

-Contributing labor and equipment to building a parking lot to be shared with the Arts Center of the Ozarks

-Limiting garage sales to residential property or for a charitable or non-profit organization to commercial or institutional property

-Adding automotive, machinery and equipment open display retail sales as a conditional use in industrial zones

-Filing a cleanup lien on 1305 Greenbriar St. and 1106 West End St.

Source: Staff Report

The Brown Building is known as the site of one of the first chicken hatcheries in Springdale, owned by Brown’s company. The structure, along with the Tyson Headquarters next door at 319 E. Emma Ave., are part of the Springdale Poultry Industry Historic District.

The roof of the Brown Building has leaked for several years, causing damage to the interior. Additionally, mortar in the brick work on the outside deteriorated, leaving loose bricks that might fall on those walking by. People have also broken into the building at times.

“We need the building to be safe, secure and sanitary,” said Mike Overton, an alderman.

Cypert said he would spend as much as $30,000 on the building and would like to know it would not be condemned afterward. Alderman Jim Reed suggested Cypert work with Mike Chamlee, head of building inspection, to make sure the work listed in the contract would meet the city’s requirements.

The Brown Building, purchased by the Brown company in 1944, was built in 1923, according to county records. The two-story addition in the back was added in 1944. The building is appraised at $107,750, not including land.

The use of the building would depend on how the revitalization effort for downtown developed, Cypert said.

“If I knew what to do downtown, I’d tell you and not charge you for it,” Cypert said.

The council also approved spending $1 million of Street Bond money to improve the Elm Springs Road interchange bridge and using a $400,000 federal grant to build a Razorback Greenway trailhead on Sanders Avenue.

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