Nearly two years after flood waters destroyed a large portion of Lower Chaseburg and the area qualified for federal disaster relief assistance, the condemned buildings are being removed one buy-out signature at a time.

On June 29 and 30, the former Pa’s Taxidermy and Meats building, operated by Travis Anderson, who relocated the business to Co. O after the building was condemned, was removed by Lepke Excavating. Prior to the first commercial building being torn down, 11 residential buildings had already been removed from the flood plain.

The village of Chaseburg is hoping to close on two additional commercial properties, Harris Bank and Shady Rest, within days, while the Cal’s Place property is being reappraised, after owner Cal Manske opted not to sign the initial buy-out papers.

The lone remaining condemned house on Mill Street is on hold due to an amended buy-out offer, while two additional housing structures were purchased and are awaiting demolition.

According to village officials, the Lepke and Lehrke structures will be removed as soon as asbestos removal is completed.

In other business, the annexation process of 200 acres of land off State Hwy 162 south, near the former Chaseburg School, is complete and the paperwork has been registered with the State.

“We’re in the process of putting up new address signs for the residents involved in the annexation,” village clerk Linda DeGarmo said.

The village is working with CDA on a grant application to provide water and sewer to the annexed area, and they are also in the process of negotiating an agreement with Organic Valley-CROPP to hopefully lease/offer to purchase the Chaseburg school building. The school property and structure was sold to the village by the Westby Area School District for $1 in an effort to help the community begin its revitalization process.

According to DeGarmo the area is currently being surveyed and there are no solid commitments from CROPP yet, but the village officials are hoping for some concrete news soon. The next village board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at the village hall.