City Rejects Proposal to Demolish Historic Home

City of Madison

The Madison City Commission on Monday rejected a proposal by Opel Properties to demolish a home in the Madison Historical District. The house in question is located at 715 N Egan Avenue. Opel Properties also owns the newly constructed homes at 705 and 709 North Egan, and was looking to construct a similar building at 715 as well. .

Duston Hendrickson, one of the owners of the property, spoke at Monday’s meeting and said they felt like the home had “met its lifetime”. He said they did list the property for sale last year, but did not get what they felt were reasonable offers.

The South Dakota State Historical Society recommended that the house not be removed. Their letter to the city said that the property is a contributing resource to the Madison Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Madison Building Official Gary Zay conducted an inspection of the property, and concluded that it was structurally sound and with a remodel, could be brought back to a single or two family residence.

Madison Mayor Roy Lindsay expressed disappointment in the buildings Opal Properties constructed at 705 and 709 North Egan, saying the buildings were not aligned with the others in the area. Lindsay was not mayor when those buildings were constructed. As for the home at 715 North Egan, Lindsay said the building has been neglected.