Proposed demolition of former Oran City Hall draws criticism

ORAN, Mo. — Controversy is building around the old Oran City Hall, which is scheduled to be demolished within days.

When the city services moved out of the building in November, the city council began discussing the fate of the building at 118 Mountain St.

Recently, the council voted unanimously to demolish the building. In response to the announcement, current and former residents opposed the demolition through calls to city hall and messages on the city’s Facebook page.

The building was constructed in 1941 as a project for the National Youth Administration, a program born out of the Works Progress Administration. The upper level of the $15,000 building was dedicated in 1942 and served as Oran’s city hall for over half a century. The basement served as the town jail.

According to Oran Mayor Gary Senciboy, the building has been in disrepair for years, and the city lacks funds to pay for the work to bring the native limestone structure up to code.

The former Oran City Hall is seen Friday, May 13, 2016 in Oran, Missouri.Fred Lynch

“If the building was in St. Louis or Cape Girardeau, there’d be tax money to spend on something like this,” Senciboy said.

But, the mayor said, many of the citizens rent their homes and don’t pay a lot of taxes, so the funds for such restoration projects is limited.

Also, he said, there are more pressing issues. Senciboy said the city has to replace a pump for the town’s lagoon to be in compliance with the Department of Natural Resources.

“At the last meeting, we approved a $250,000 pump for the lagoon,” Senciboy said. “We have to get that fixed.”

Senciboy said he is aware of the concerns voiced about the old building. The city held a town-hall meeting and invited people to give their concerns. Of those who complained online, no one came, he said.

“Only three people showed up,” Senciboy said.

Though turnout at the meeting was low, social-media efforts to halt the project continued. A Change.org petition was created by Chris Kinder, a historic preservationist with ties to the region.

“I just wanted people to know that there are numerous options available to them and resources available that could save the building,” Kinder said in an email.

Kinder also said he felt as if officials wanted to demolish the building quickly.

“Surely there is a way to delay the demolition to allow all voices to be heard and to seek out the resources available to preserve the building,” Kinder said.

Bill Hart of Missouri Preservation, a statewide not-for-profit advocacy group, suggested the petition in the hopes of conveying to city leaders there was interest in preserving the building. He said an injunction to halt the demolition also is an avenue that could be taken.

“Too many of Oran’s buildings are being demolished,” Hart said. “Once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Senciboy said the city council considered several options before deciding on demolition. The basement has wiring issues and mold. The building itself is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; the outside stairs would need to be renovated and a ramp added to comply, Senciboy said.

The council considered selling the property he said, “but no one wants it.”

Repurposing the materials, he said, is not an option, as it would add more time and expense to the project.

“It’s a liability,” Senciboy said. “It needs to come down.”

Senciboy said removing the building will provide the town with much-needed parking, which will help encourage businesses to come to the city and remain there.

The demolition initially was scheduled to begin Monday, but Senciboy expected it to start on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“It’s going to be a win-win for everyone,” Senciboy said.

bbrown@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

118 Mountain St., Oran, Mo.