By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend City Council moved forward Monday with the process to remove a pair of unsafe structures within city limits.
In June 2024, a structure fire occurred at a mobile home at 201 Walnut Street. Half of the structure was missing due to the fire and the remaining interior of the mobile home suffered severe smoke and fire damage.
Great Bend Building Official Matt Schafer said a new owner bought the property after the fire. While most of the mobile home has been removed, the frame still exists.
"We have been unable to make phone contact with these folks," said Schafer. "They received a letter. Based on the updated information on the Barton County website for property information, we're assuming it sold to a different person. They're clearly in the process of cleaning something up and just want the lot."
Closing the public hearing, City Administrator Logan Burns said the owner has until June 7 to clean up the remaining structure. Property taxes have not been paid on the 201 Walnut property for 2023 or 2024.
"This resolution would give us the power to make sure they get the frame out and everything cleaned around the mobile home itself," said Burns. "If they don't, we have that power to dispose of it."
The City Council passed a similar resolution to remove the dangerous structure at 218 Pine Street.