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Washington Evening Journal
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Smouse House cleared for demolition by city
Application goes to state for final signoff
WASHINGTON — The demolition permit for the Captain’s Table in Washington was approved by a city council vote Tuesday night, clearing the last municipal hurdle before the building’s teardown. The permit now goes to the state for final approval, a step necessitated by its status as a historical site.
“We know that many years have been spent trying to make this a successful project,” Mayor Jaron Rosien said. “But unfortunately, nothing — no grants, no public money — has been spent on this property.”
Council Member Steve Gault said he did not blame real estate developer Jeff Hazelett, who owns the building, for its condition.
“There’s going to be a lot of upset people once this all starts happening because of how that house has been there forever,” he said. “They need to realize that building was raped for 40 or 50 years by people not doing anything to it, doing nothing but taking money out of it … it is something that is not Mr. Hazelett’s fault, and the public needs to understand that.”
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
Once an established gathering place in Washington, the Smouse House, or Captain's Table, has fallen into disrepair in the last few decades. The Washington City Council approved an application for its demolition at a meeting Tuesday night. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
