Albion looks to take action on deteriorating Shay’s bar on Main Street

Village hopes for new owner, but site could face demolition

Photo by Tom Rivers: The former Shay’s bar at 56 North Main St. is in rough condition inside. The Village Board approved a survey and engineering study for the building to help determine the future of the site.

ALBION – The former Shay’s bar at 56 North Main St. has a gaping hole in the roof and a deteriorating interior, and that condition is worrying village officials.

The former operator, Mike Seaver, passed away at age 69 on Sept. 20.

Code enforcement officer Chris Kinter told the Village Board on Wednesday it would “cost a small fortune” to fix the building. He thinks there might be someone willing to take on the project. Or the building may need to be torn down.

Kinter said the walls appear to be bowing inwards, putting the neighboring and adjoining structures at risk.

The Village Board followed village attorney John Gavenda’s advice and approved getting an abstract survey done on the property to see if there are on liens on it. The board also will have an engineering study of the building to determine the extent of the damage and the building conditions. The village will reach out to T.Y. Lin for the assessment of the building.

Kinter also said Shay’s should have an asbestos survey.

All of those costs are expected to be around $7,000. The village will front the expense and then seek to be reimbursed from the owner’s estate.

Kinter said he is hopeful the actions will lead to a new owner that invests in making the building structurally sound and available for public use.