City, owner of theater building set to negotiate

The city of Ely will make another attempt to buy the Ely Theater building.City council members voted Tuesday to form a three-person committee - comprised of city attorney Larry Klun, city clerk-treasurer John Tourville and council member Mike Hillman - to negotiate with building owner Gary Quigley.Just three weeks ago, Quigley told the city’s land committee the building was not for sale. But days later, he had a change of heart and told Klun he’d be willing to discuss a possible transaction.To date, Quigley has been unable to bring the building up to code since it was deemed unsafe by the city’s building inspector this spring.Mayor Frank Salerno has pushed for the city to purchase and raze the building, while Quigley has sought funding to complete repairs.The inspector’s report cited failing bricks and holes in the wall on the north/alley side of the building.Salerno, meanwhile, said he has taken citizen complaints about bricks that have fallen from the building facade.City officials could take legal action against Quigley, who failed to meet a 30-day deadline for repairing the building, and seek a judgment that would assess the costs against the property owner.But first, the city will apparently reopen talks with the owner, although council members have not discussed how the city will come up with the funding to buy the building and tear it down.The building and land have assessed values totalling about $50,000, while demolition estimates are as high as $100,000.Quigley had the building listed by a real estate agent and sought $125,000, but the listing has expired.Council members voted 6-1 to pursue negotiations, with Butch Pecha in opposition.“I’m just wondering why we’re buying the building,” said Pecha.