Keokuk, IA – Keokuk now has permission to take down the house at 326 South 6th Street. The Friendly House is a deteriorating stone structure that is considered unsafe to occupy.
Keokuk's Riverfront Implementation Committee would like to utilize the stones on a variety of projects. That could only take place, though, after the property comes down.
7th ward alderwoman Susan Dunek says that is a great idea.
"The Friendly House is a huge part of Keokuk's History," said Dunek. "I think people would be delighted that it could be implemented into our river-scape or other properties."
The city has received bids to demolish the Friendly House and salvage the stone.
One option calls for a contractor to take down the property and keep the stone (@$10,000). The city could also hire a contractor to take down the property and save the stone for the city for more than twice the cost.
The consensus of the Keokuk City Council is to take the building down and keep the stone for future use. Dunek says the council needs some more information on the potential value of the stone, and how it could be used, before finalizing a contract.
The city has about $10,000 in the budget to take down the property. At-Large Alderman Dan Winn says the city should spend no more than that and let the contractor keep the stone.
The owner of the Friendly House also owns the Green Tambourine building, which collapsed in July of 2009.
Another Option
Former Historic Preservation Commission member Chuck Mitchell approached the city with an alternate plan for the former Friendly House.
Mitchell says he has talked to a potential investor from Florida. He says the interested party could travel to Keokuk in June to see if the property can be restored.
Mitchell says it would not be a full restoration, but rather a development of the current ruins. He says an architect is designing a concept for that idea.
Mitchell would like the council to hold off on any demolition until July 1. He says at that time, it could become clear if a restoration is possible.