PRESCOTT – Prescott City Council voted Jan. 26 to table a raze order for 915 Canton St. upon recommendation from its legal counsel after the property owner’s attorney read a letter on her behalf.

Attorney Christopher Luehr of Lommen Abdo law firm read a letter from property owner Crystal Metz, who lives in Arizona. The property is listed as being owned by Prescott Legacy LLC.

“I remain committed to making this property safe, compliant and a productive asset for the community,” Metz stated in a letter. “Prior to the Feb. 10, 2025 fire at 915 Canton, the properties had renters onsite and was a thriving business. My plan is to continue that legacy, rehabilitate the building and position it once again as a vibrant contributor to the Prescott business community.”

Luehr said Metz has engaged contractors, designed building plans and secured funding to proceed with the repairs and enhancements. He also told the council that Pierce County tax records list Prescott Legacy’s mailing address as Metz’s current address in Arizona, but city records still had her mother’s old Prescott address on file, resulting in her not receiving raze notices. The city council packet states that they sent notices to Metz’s Arizona address but received no response.

“December 2025 was the first time I’d heard a raze procedure was underway,” her letter states. “Had I known earlier, I would have reached out to city officials and engaged in discussions long before matters progressed to this point.”

Deputy Clerk Rashel Temmers said City Attorney Chris Gierhardt has asked the council to table the resolution and discuss it in a closed session.

According to the city council packet, a structure fire occurred at 915 Canton St. Feb. 10, 2025. The property is zoned “light industrial,” but police and firefighters found a fully constructed residential unit in the southeast corner of the building. City ordinance prohibits this.

A city ordinance states: “Alterations when not permitted. When any existing building or structure, which, for any reason whatsoever, does not conform to the regulations of this chapter, has deteriorated from any cause whatsoever to an extent greater than 50% of the equalized value of the building or structure, no alterations or moving of such building or structure shall be permitted. Any such building or structure shall be considered a menace to public safety and welfare and shall be ordered vacated and thereafter demolished, and debris removed from the premises.”

The council packet details a timeline of email communications sent between the city and the insurance adjuster, with Metz copied on them. On Sept. 2, 2025, the city sent a zoning inspection letter to Prescott Legacy LLC in Phoenix, Ariz., but received no response to that or to a follow-up certified letter sent Oct. 16, 2025 (Metz signed for the letter).

Due to the lack of cooperation, the city pursued a special inspection warrant through Pierce County Circuit Court, which was granted Dec. 12, 2025. Building Inspector Todd Dolan, Police Chief Eric Michaels and City Administrator Matt Wolf conducted the inspection on Dec. 17, 2025. Inside the building, they found a two-bedroom residential living unit complete with a full kitchen, laundry facilities, living room, two bathrooms, and an office. They also determined that construction work had commenced in the north part of the building without required permits.

Dolan identified the following conditions in his report:

• Extensive fire damage and water intrusion
• Unpermitted and non-compliant construction
• Structural failures
• Unsafe electrical conditions
• Health hazards including mold
• Mixed and incompatible occupancies without required fire separation

Dolan’s report said the structure is unsafe, uninhabitable, and a danger to life, health, and property. Due to the extent of the damage and other violations found, he recommended razing the building. After a closed session Jan. 12, 2026, the city council voted unanimously to proceed with a raze order. Based on the extent of damage, code violations, and the scope of work required to bring the structure into compliance, Dolan estimated the cost would be well over $90,000.

Other business

• The council authorized the replacement and upgrade of the fire alarm system at City Hall/Library for a cost of $9,275.
• The council approved Johnson Block CPAs will continue to provide audit services to the City of Prescott for the 2026 fiscal year.
• The council approved a new Class A Beer and Class A Liquor License to WI CStore Inc. (1120 US-10).
• The council approved a resolution authorizing the purchase and installation of Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) signs at Canton and St. Croix streets and Highway 35 and Monroe Street for a total cost of $17,457.
• The council approved a resolution authorizing security upgrades at City Hall/Library by Computer Integration Technologies for a cost of $47,979.
• The council approved spending $31,419.89 on repairs on the 2008 Vactor 2100 sewer cleaning (rodder) truck.
• The council voted to transfer $221,360 from the General Fund to the Capital Fund for future purchases (including some listed above). The surplus funds were a result of higher-than-expected interest income, a higher Leo’s Landing rent payment, Locust Street special assessments paid in full and the tennis court project coming in under budget.