Submitted Photo The Olson Apartments and Ying Bin building in Kenmare are scheduled for demolition.

A plan to demolish one decrepit building in Kenmare has turned into a plan to demolish two.

The Kenmare Community Development Corp. has purchased a former Chinese restaurant building adjacent to the apartment building that Ward County plans to demolish, having acquired it through delinquent property taxes. The KCDC offered to donate the deteriorated Ying Bin building to Ward County for demolition.

Demolishing both buildings is expected to cost less than demolishing just one because of the additional expense required to avoid damaging or destroying the Ying Bin building while razing the Olson Apartments.

Ward County commissioners on Tuesday were reluctant to take the deed on additional property, or create a precedent for other communities that want to pass on the expense of demolishing dilapidated buildings. Commissioners voted to draft a memorandum of understanding with the KCDC that will enable the county to take down the Ying Bin building as part of the Olson Apartments demolition while the KCDC retains property ownership. In exchange, the KCDC would need to agree to maintain the vacated county-owned lot along with its own vacated lot, including mowing, weed control and any necessary snow removal.

The county budgeted $132,480 from its federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars for demolition. Demolition is estimated at around $115,000 but associated costs regarding asbestos abatement are uncertain.