Options under discussion for former Red Rock Elementary building

ROYAL CITY — The condition of the former Red Rock Elementary building, and its eventual fate, is prompting discussion among Royal City residents and city officials.

“We’ve had some concerns with people continuing to break in,” said Royal City Mayor Michael Christensen.

The building, located at the intersection of Calla Street and Hawthorne Avenue Northwest, was originally sold in 2005 by the Royal School District, according to records from the Grant County Auditor’s Office. The property is held jointly.

Any plans to remodel or use the property haven’t materialized, Christensen said.

“There’s been no development with it,” he said.

That has led to what Alex Kovach, the city’s building inspector, called an attractive nuisance.

“(An attractive nuisance is) anything that is dangerous to the community but isn’t fully secured,” Kovach said.

The building has been a target for vandalism, Christensen said, and over 20 years, its condition has deteriorated. Sections of the roof are missing, Kovach said; while the owners have boarded over the windows and entrances, people have still gained access. Calls to the Royal City Police Department about activity at the site have increased.

“It’s been abandoned for quite a while,” Kovach said.

The property and what to do next were the subject of a discussion at the Royal City City Council meeting Tuesday. Christensen said city officials are looking for ways to alleviate the problem.

“We want to work with the owners to see what we can do,” he said. “What are our options?”