Vacant Backes building generating new interest

BIRNAMWOOD — The village of Birnamwood has received $50,000 from former resident Norm Matsche to be applied to a project to remove the vacant building that once housed the Backes Food Mart.

While in Birnamwood last summer, Matsche had a conversation with his friend and local resident Ed Resch, and he told him he would be interested in helping with the cost of tearing the building down.

Matsche has a long history of helping his hometown of Birnamwood. Two years ago, he donated $500,000 to refurbish the grandstand and concession area for the baseball park. It was renamed Rivertronics Stadium, a nod to the business Matsche started in 1967 in Wood River, Illinois.

Matsche was instrumental in the construction of the Matsche Community Center in 2012. He also funded the demolition of the vacant downtown hotel, which opened up the opportunity for Aspirus Clinic to build a new facility in June 2017.

Backes Food Mart had been in business 40 years before closing in November 2017. The building has remained vacant.

“I would like to see a business go in there,” said Resch, referring to the Backes building, “but if that doesn’t happen, it’s nice to have the help with the cost of tearing it down.”

According to Resch, the price for the property and building is $49,000. Before tearing down the building, there would need to be an inspection to check for asbestos or other hazards, which would cost an additional $2,451, said Resch.

The teardown costs could easily double that amount, putting the project over $100,000, Resch said.

At the Jan. 13 village board meeting, Resch stated that if the building is torn down, the owners of Chet and Emil’s would be willing to purchase the property to use as a parking lot. They would also agree to sell back the property if, in the future, someone wanted to purchase the lot for a business.

Resch has been keeping Matsche and the board aware of the situation. He’s been in contact with the bank that owns the building and the Realtor representing the building. Resch told the village board at its Jan. 27 meeting that it would be another two weeks before moving forward. According to Resch, there is now a business interested in purchasing the building.