Bid accepted on 'unsafe structure'

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Tippecanoe County is one step closer when it comes to the demolition of a residence.

Eric Tendam's house on County Road 725 North was declared an "unsafe structure" last month . It burned last year, but Tendam is still living in it. Commissioners issued an order for demolition of the house and accepted a bid for $6,500 from Exterior View Inc. at its meeting Monday morning.

Commissioner John Knochel said the building department has to send out the order to Tendam, giving him notice of the demolition.

"At this point, he would be able to come in and ask for an appeal on it. But since we've had no response at all from the letters or whatever that we've sent out, I don't expect that's going to happen," said Knochel.

Knochel said Tendam has until the next meeting to communicate with commissioners. Tendam was not present at Monday's meeting nor was present he at last month's meeting.

Tendam is a former Lafayette firefighter who was charged with arson and interfering with a firefighter following the house fire. But, those charges were dismissed earlier this year.

Building Commissioner Ron Highland said Tendam has had no contact with the county.