Sterling City Council Orders Demolition of 126-Year-Old Building at 701 First Ave.

The 126-year-old building at 701 First Ave. in Sterling will be demolished. This is a significant change for the historic structure.
By Newsroom | Local Government, Property |

Decision Follows Extensive Debate, Safety Concerns

The Sterling City Council has formally decided to proceed with the demolition of the property located at 701 First Ave. This decision, reached after considerable discussion among council members, centers on the building being deemed "beyond repair." The directive signifies an end for the 126-year-old structure, which the city deems unsafe and impractical to salvage.

Before its ultimate destruction, the Sterling Fire Department is slated to use the historic building for training purposes. This approach allows for practical drills while the property awaits its final fate.

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Background and Context

The fate of the structure at 701 First Ave. has been a subject of deliberation for city leaders. Comments suggest a complex situation, with one official noting, "It’s not just one piece of it. The whole layout was very odd." Another indication of the property's troubled status came with the statement, "M5 thought they had the ability to, it didn’t work out so that property is going to come back to us." This points to prior attempts or agreements concerning the property that did not materialize as planned.

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The council's action reflects a broader municipal challenge of managing aging infrastructure within budgetary constraints. While acknowledging the historical significance of the property, the council's priorities appear to be firmly fixed on safety and practicality.

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This specific decision appears to be part of a larger pattern. Earlier this year, the Sterling City Council engaged a contractor for the demolition of six properties found to be in disrepair.

Separately, a previous report from November 2025 indicated the Sterling City Council, operating with a reduced membership at the time, had delayed decisions on a housing development. This situation arose when only four of the seven council members were present, necessitating a postponement for the ordinance's second reading and public hearing. The requirement for four affirmative votes meant a motion could not pass. The presence of previously absent members allowed for the tabling of a permit application. The council also considered future ordinances to address the placement of containers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the Sterling City Council demolishing the building at 701 First Ave.?
The council decided to demolish the 126-year-old building because it is considered unsafe and beyond repair. This decision was made after much discussion about its condition.
Q: What will happen to the building before it is demolished?
The Sterling Fire Department plans to use the historic building for training exercises. This will allow firefighters to practice their skills before the structure is torn down.
Q: When was the building at 701 First Ave. built?
The building at 701 First Ave. is 126 years old. It was built a long time ago and is now considered too old and unsafe to keep.
Q: Is this the first building Sterling has decided to demolish recently?
No, this is part of a larger plan. Earlier this year, the Sterling City Council hired someone to demolish six other buildings that were also in bad shape.