Wilson Avenue Buyout Homes Open For Salvage Sale Saturday

The  in University City is taking another step toward demolition.

So far, 23 of 26 homeowners who opted into the voluntary buyout have agreed to offers, and 20 of the homes have already closed.

The company contracted for the demolition, Diamond H Acquisition Corp., is holding salvage sales. Customers can buy and remove anything left in the houses, including:

• bathroom and kitchen fixtures
• cabinets
• air conditioners
• furnaces
• pipes

One salvage sale was Nov. 26. The next sale is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There also will be a sale Dec. 10 and Dec. 11.

“They can buy appliances, light fixtures, hot water heaters, air-conditioning units—basically anything left in the home after the owners move out,” said Megan Fuhler, senior project manager for the City of University City.

Mike McNearney, owner of Diamond H, said interested parties can call him at 314-651-0458 if they have problems finding someone at the sites at those times.

Moving out, moving on

Demolition on the homes is scheduled to begin Dec. 12, with a goal of being completed by Jan. 15. Wilson Avenue traffic will not be closed, bu the city will put temporary "No Parking" signs on the east side of the street during demolition.

“It’s sad,” said Michele Coen-Racanelli, who recently closed on her home on Wilson Avenue. “I love my neighbors, I love my neighborhood and I love U City. I’m one of the last ones.”

Coen-Racanelli said she is looking for a home in University City.

Fuhler said there still are four families living in the houses on the east side of the street, although two of them have agreed to buyout offers. The remaining two are still in negotiations.

Diamond H removed asbestos from the homes where sales were closed in mid-November. The company will receive proceeds from the sales. It also contracted for asbestos removal and demolition for $175,000.

After the sales, Habitat for Humanity salvages items the group can use in building projects, Fuhler said.

“They’ll take anything remaining that can be used—cabinets, countertops, they’ll look at flooring, light switch covers, anything that’s in good condition,” Fuhler said.

The on the east side of the street in September 2008. Two people were killed.

The buyout and demolition is funded by an 80 percent Federal Emergency Management Agency grant. The city is covering the remaining $1 million by using Community Development Block Grant funds.