In a maximum of 60 days, the property where three buildings are currently downtown will be just a memory. Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman updated the Vandalia City Council on the demolition process at last night’s meeting. First, Mayor Gottman says the City’s attorney recommends extending the Mayor’s emergency powers and to also continue to obtain the 10 day restraining orders to keep anyone out of the property. The City is currently on their second 10 day restraining order. Razmus Demolition from Chrisman is the crew that will handle the demolition of the buildings and they are in town now and set to begin the project today. Gottman told the City Council there were a total of 3 proposals submitted—Razmus, Anderson Backhoe from Decatur for 368 thousand dollars and Mettler Construction from Highland for 348 thousand dollars. Gottman says Razmus’s bid is not to exceed 345 thousand dollars and could be as low as 222 thousand dollars-making them the low bidder for the project. Gottman also added Razmus has extensive experience in this type of demolition work. Gottman says that representatives from Razmus met with business folks from around the collapsed buildings on Monday and said that no other business closures would be needed. Gottman says Razmus says their first jobs to work on will be taking down the chimney at the collapsed building and to make sure the walls of connecting buildings that are not damaged are stabilized and protected as well as possible. Gottman also added cameras have been set up to capture the demolition—one at First National Bank and two at City Hall. Ward Two Alderwoman Dorothy Crawford asked if there was any way to get some relief from the building’s owners. But, that looks very unlikely. The City of Vandalia will now be the 12th entity with a lien on the property. Before the meeting began, the City Council held a moment of silence for former Vandalia business owner Robert Anderson, who passed away over the weekend at the age of 83. Gottman said he looked to be the property owner and he has no assets. Gottman said Razmus says it will take them 45 to 60 days to clear the property, and Gottman says that will be down to seeded and grassed.