Editorial: No more exceptions for historic Elks Building project

Talk about it

It’s not a very big sign but it gets the point across and it’s about time.

A mainstay building in downtown Dickinson now has a cease and desist order hanging on its door telling workers to stop — not that it matters as it seems it was few and far between days that a passerby might see someone working on the historic Elks Building.

Granville “Beaver” Brinkman is already on his fifth extension for this renovation project, according to previous Press articles.

This sign is refreshing as five extensions sets quite a precedent for other business owners, contractors and residents. However, this new extension is unrelated to the first five and is because he hasn’t paid for or picked up a building permit due March 1 and dated July 20, officials say.

The city has made “numerous” attempts to contact him via phone and e-mail and has gotten no response.

Such a stoic building doesn’t deserve to sit so ghostly.

The outside of the building is striking and getting some movement in the area can only add a breath of fresh air to a downtown that has seen much improvement in the past few years with refreshing restaurants and a variety of stores.

This isn’t someone’s backyard garage.

On top of that, we’d imagine a number of residents would like the allowance of five extensions on updating their dog licenses, and businesses probably wouldn’t complain about even three property tax extensions.

You start giving extension after extension to one person, it’s only fair to give to all.

This has dragged on long enough. We’d like to see it finished in our lifetime.

The city has been more than understanding but this is prime real estate that should not sit uninhabited.

In a Feb. 19 public notice, the city gives Brinkman until June 30 to complete the project — another extension. It says, at that time the city may be able to acquire the building back or extend the deadline, again.

He purchased the building from the city in 2005 and a fire gutted the building in 2007.

In June 2009, City Commission members granted Brinkman a fourth extension, according to a previous Press article.

It was then decided if he didn’t finish the project by Sept. 30 last year; the city would have the option to get the property back. That deadline was not met and then commissioners gave the fifth extension to June 30 with the option of giving another extension. The city has been taken advantage of and what would stop it again? No more extensions.

The City Commission will get an update on the project at Monday’s meeting at City Hall. The meeting is at 4:30 p.m. and is open to all.

Let’s get this building in the hands of someone who cares about our downtown, someone who has a vision and someone who knows how to meet a deadline.

The Press Editorial Board consists of Publisher Harvey Brock and

Managing Editor Jennifer McBride.

Tags: opinion, editorials, editorial, brinkman