Deteriorating Buildings Raise Concern

KINGMAN, Kan. (AP) – The demolition of three deteriorating buildings in south-central Kansas has become more urgent after a portion of one of the structures collapsed.

The Hutchinson News reports that Kingman County officials are meeting Wednesday to discuss requests for demolition bids for the side-by-side buildings. On Friday, a solid brick wall with a wrought-iron balcony came crumbling down. Some of the debris crashed through the glass door of Kingman Lumber and General Store, but no one was hurt.

Kingman County communications coordinator Nancy Borst says commissioners believe a recent ice storm was partially to blame, along with years of disrepair. Borst says the County Commission agreed to purchase the lots on June 15 with plans to demolish the buildings.

They are thought to have been built in the 1800s.