Linn County looks to solve Viola school problem

Years of complaints about an old, run-down school building in rural Linn County may finally prompt some drastic action by the county.

The 88-year-old former Viola Elementary in Viola closed in 1998. The Anamosa school district sold the building. But original plans to turn the school into apartments and later an arts or cultural center never happened. Now, Linn County Health officials say the building is falling apart and may declare the structure am immediate health and safety hazard and order demolition.

Anamosa Schools sold the old elementary to a private owner in 1999 who then sold to Joe Aossey. The complaints by neighbors in the small community near the Linn and Jones County line began almost immediately. County officials say the current owner has not maintained the property and the roof is collapsing, the floor has already buckled in many places and vandals have destroyed a number of interior walls. Curtis Dickson, Linn County Public Health Director, fears support walls inside could fall down at any moment. And he says that's just a partial list of problems.

“We've seen evidence of meth labs in there. Individuals, I don't know what age groups, have gone in with blankets and set fires. There actually was a skate ramp built into the building we had to have demolished, “ Dickson said.

Dickson said he's talked with owner Joe Aossey over the last year and a half about a voluntary plan of compliance with health and safety standards. But Dickson said he's about given up. Aossey now has until May 15th to show plans for serious repairs and must put a security fence around the entire property. Otherwise, Dickson is prepared to declare the old school building an immediate public health and safety hazard. That means he would go to court seeking a demolition order.

And when Dickson says “fence” the property. He's not talking about something you'd put in your yard. The county's health director wants a fence long enough and tall enough to keep people and animals out-and that might cost as much as $20,000.

Owner Aossey said he is working to either sell or transfer the building to a non-profit group based in Stone City. The potential plan there is to rehabilitate the old Viola Elementary into an art institute. Aossey also said he has complied with all county requests to board up doors and windows to prevent humans or animals from getting inside.

But Dickson said any sale or transfer would have to include the security fence to protect the public .

Neighbors say they've heard promises about the property before-and now just don't believe it.

Rick Miell, who lives across the street, said “I don't know there's any other solution but to tear it down. From what I've heard it's in terrible shape.”

Another nearby neighbor, Paula Scott, agreed the time has come to tear it down. “It's something that needs to be done before something tragic happens,” Scott said.

Dickson said he doesn't want to go the demolition route unless it's absolutely necessary due to expense. He estimates that because of asbestos inside it might cost Linn County taxpayers $200,000 or more to tear down the building if the county condemns it. And even with a tax lien, the county would never recover anything close to that amount. But Dickson believes the old school is such a public nuisance and danger it may come to that. And he says the clock is ticking.