Sugar mill collapse has planning department’s attention

The partial collapse of a 140-year-old building in Hutchinson has raised the attention of the city building inspector and the planning department.

The old sugar mill suffered damage when a portion of the elevator shaft fell to the ground Feb. 4. Because the bill to repair the building is in excess of $250,000, the building will likely come down.

Trent Maxwell, the city building inspector, says they are weighing the options for dealing with the older buildings in the city. Interim Planning Director Jim Seitnater says the city wants to be proactive in making sure the buildings are sound, but also knows that their reach is somewhat limited since they do not own the buildings. Seitnater says the city’s help could come from better education for property owners.

(Read more: Hutch Post)