POTD: An expanding hole on Water Street

Metro Wire Staff

An empty lot remains where a halfway house once stood at 1504 Water St.

It previously housed up to eight people recently released from prison, but the fourplex was damaged in an April fire and remained shuttered until it was razed last week.

Police Chief Bob Kussow said the home acted as a safeguard against homeless sex offenders in the community. But without the halfway house, many sex offenders released from prison have no place to live, he said.

Community Development Director Jarod Kivela, the razing permit was issued on Nov. 12.

The parcel, owned by WES Properties, LLC, abuts 1512 Water St., the former home of Soik Plumbing. That building was torn down in 2019.