Friday, April 19, 2024
This is a screen shot from Google Maps. It was taken in 2021
A house at 2006 Bridge Street that the Gatesville City Council ruled as substandard and which faced possible demolition has a new lease on life after the structure's new owner presented a house renovation plan to the Council on March 22.
City Manager Bill Parry told the Council that Josiah Wilson had purchased the house unaware that a demolition order had been issued on Jan. 25.
Wilson attended the March 22 Council meeting and asked for more time to rehabilitate the house.
"I brought a layout, scope of work and examples of other properties I have renovated, and I'm working on getting bids," Wilson told the Council. "I have a rough estimate of what it will take to bring the property back to life."
The 1,164 square foot home currently has two bedrooms and one bath, and Wilson said he plans to add one bedroom and one bathroom.
Councilwoman Barbara Burrow asked Wilson if he planned to sell or rent the house once the work was done, and Wilson said he will sell the house after repairs are made.
Wilson said one of the issues is that a load-bearing wall was torn down, and this will be among the repairs made.
Mayor Pro Tem Meredith Rainer asked how long Wilson thought he would need to renovate the property.
"It's a 6-8 week project once a qualified contractor is selected," Wilson said. "I have three or four contractors working on different projects, including one in McGregor. The issue is finding materials."
"Personally, I'd rather see the house get back on the market than demolished," Mayor Gary Chumley said.
Parry asked Wilson when permits would be pulled. He told the Council that an extension should only be granted once the Council has seen a plan for renovations and agrees with the plan.
Wilson said he hoped to pull the permits soon, and that he could present a renovation plan to the Council at its next meeting on April 12.
