Sealing the Blue Building to protect it from further weather damage is almost complete.
“They have the metal on the back of the building covering the hole,” said McMinnville Public Works director Bill Brock. “They have placed the two windows that needed to go in. I think they have some caulking to do, some down spouts to extend and a little dirt work. Then, they are done.”
Red tin was used over the hole to be more aesthetically pleasing in an effort for it to blend in with the red brick of the building. Brock says he will be conducting a walk-through of the interior.
“There’s a lot of metal on the outside of the building, but at least it will be water tight,” said Brock. “I plan to go over today and take a look on the inside. I’m particularly interested in the balcony area.”
With work nearing completion, the ball may be back in the court of McMinnville officials to determine what to do with the main structure.
In December, officials rejected an offer from Industrial Development Board director George Burke to market the Blue Building for one year in an effort to find a suitable buyer. The decision was made, in part, because city attorney Tim Pirtle urged them against allowing people into the building while it’s in disrepair, a situation that could put the city in liability if someone were to be injured.
Burke says he is still interested in an agreement with the city for the property.
“Absolutely, I think we are still interested in working with the city,” Burke said. “I’m going to retire no later than July 2015, so the sooner we can come to an agreement the better. If they will let us have it, that gives us a year to work on it. It will take a lot of work, but it’s a beautiful building and well worth the effort.
“I would really like to get a chance to find a suitable buyer before I retire,” Burke continued. “I will be 75 years old. I’ve worked most of those 75 years. I hope the city will give me one chance before I go to the house. Hopefully, whomever takes my place will feel as strongly about the building as I do. Maybe not.”