Derelict buildings to be torn down

Three derelict town-owned commercial buildings along the west side of North Big Horn Avenue in Moorcroft have been an ongoing issue for Moorcroft’s council. The town contracted with a local resident to tear them down a couple of years ago only to have the problem return when the agreement fell through.

With the problem no closer to resolution, the governing body has chosen to fund the demolition of the buildings from the town’s reserve account, which will be repaid from the sale of the cleared lots.

Of the two bids received, Tri-City Excavation was accepted with a bid of $7100. Work is anticipated to be complete within the next two weeks.

The former senior center once housed within its walls the town jail, even retaining the bars on the windows enclosing the utility room. The floor of the storefront furthest south was at a slant with seats when the building was known as the Avon Theater; and finally, the glass-fronted storefront in the center housed a grocery store among other things.

These old buildings have had a long life serving the Moorcroft community in many incarnations for almost four score years. What will future years bring?