CROOKSTON -- District Court Judge Michael Kraker is expected to decide within a week whether the demolition of the Wayne Hotel should be delayed.
The Prairie Skyline Foundation of Crookston and the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota filed to stop the demolition of the brick building in downtown Crookston. The hearing was held at the Polk County Justice Center today.
The non-profit organizations, which seek to preserve historic buildings, said the county needs to preserve resources such as the Wayne Hotel, which is more than 100 years old. Their attorney argued to Kraker that the county didn't protect the building before it went into disrepair, including the collapse of floors.
The attorney representing Polk County and the City of Crookston countered that the only issue is public safety. The building has deteriorated to the point that it is prone to a collapse, endangering the safety of residents, the attorney said.
Jack Schmalenberg, the Polk County administrator, said the wait for the judge's decision may not delay the demolition timeline. County officials hope to demolish the building before winter.
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Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
