Sterling City Council hires contractor to demolish six properties in disrepair

STERLING – The Sterling City Council has hired Stichter Construction Co. of Erie to demolish several properties across the city.

The council approved the hiring Tuesday during a special City Council meeting. The city received quotes from two companies, Stichter and Burke Excavating of Tampico. Stichter came in with the lowest quote for all projects.

The city previously committed American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for all demolition projects. However, the updated requirements for their use did not allow enough time for a bidding process before the deadline to commit the funds so the city decided to seek quotes instead of bids.

410, 412 and 414 E. Third St.

The city purchased the buildings from the former owner on March 4, 2024, with future redevelopment plans. The city is demolishing what remains of those sites and abating any asbestos because insurance would not cover the cost.

Building and Zoning Superintendent Amanda Schmidt said the city could have sought legal action to try to make the former owner pay those costs, but that would incur extra time and legal costs.

The city received two bids for the project:

• Stichter: $46,475
• Burke Excavating: $64,213

501 and 503 Ave. B

The city purchased both properties but condemned 503 Ave. B due to “subpar” living conditions, including infestation and free-flowing sewage between rental units.

The city reached out to several developers to possibly renovate the buildings but the conditions inside had deteriorated to a point that no one was interested. The site has been noted by the city as having potential to become a fire training facility in the future, as it sits directly across the street from the Sterling Fire Department’s Station One.

The city received two bids for the project:

• Stichter: $62,500
• Burke: $108,000

302 Fourth Ave.

The city has a tentative property exchange agreement with the owners, Kurt and Brian Properties. The property was damaged in a fire on July 7, 2023, and now sits in disrepair.

The city received two bids for the project:

• Stichter: $24,080
• Burke: $27,365