The city of Mandan is avoiding the eminent domain process in acquiring two properties at the corner of Main Street and Collins Avenue, reaching settlement with owners CENDAK Development and Jesse Gange.

Earlier this month, the city commission authorized an agreement to purchase the properties, usually referred to as Ratz Bar and Gartner buildings, for $243,700. This included an up-front payment of $25,000 and monthly installments of $27,500.

The demolition is to be completed by June 7, at which time the balance will be paid.

The funds will come from the Mandan Remediation Trust, according to Mandan Mayor Ken LaMont, since the property is an important part of the recovery of diesel fuel from the contaminated ground.

"From what we've heard, the area under those buildings, the diesel is feet thick, not inches,"LaMont said.

While many of the buildings along Main Street have allowed remediation wells to be placed in their basements, CENDAK and Gange refused access to their buildings. Remediation engineers were furthered frustrated in their attempts to put wells adjacent to the buildings outside when an inspection report indicated that there was a risk of the buildings' collapse.

With CENDAK and Gange refusing access and showing no interest in selling the property, the city began an attempt to acquire the buildings and land by eminent domain.

Mandan already owns the adjacent Buckhorn Bar, Rent All and former adult bookstore buildings located on the block. But it doesn't hold title to the Golden Comb, Keller Insurance or Schlosser Home Contracting buildings.

While the city also is interested in acquiring those buildings, the commission has taken the position that, if they don't want to sell, the city won't force them.

"But what a great area for an events center," LaMont said. "There are a least a couple of other people interested in the properties (the Ratz and Buckhorn), but first we have to get the remediation equipment in there."

Once the buildings have come down and the remediation equipment is in place, the city will follow the same process it went through after acquiring other buildings, such as Furniture First Plaza and the old Hedahl's building, and call for requests for proposal.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktri-bune.com.)