The Law and Community Planning Committee Monday considered using a $184,000 Community Development Block Grant to purchase and demolish two unsafe buildings when funds become available in 2013.
The buildings, at 20 and 22 S. Washington St., includes the structure that holds the wall mural that is fenced in at Riverside Drive.
A business occupies at least one of the buildings, according to Councilwoman Lori Ritzler.
The city does not own that property, according to Law Director Brent Howard.
"Something has to happen with the wall," Howard said. "The mayor and city engineer looked at the wall along with representatives of the Richland County Building Department, and there is concern of the condition and its safety issue."
The project would include property acquisition, relocation costs for the business owner and demolition, Howard said.
A protective wall would need to go up during demolition, he said.
The grant funding may not be available until March, Ritzler said.
"Anyone who has an idea for another project or way to spend the CDBG funding is welcome to contact City Hall," Councilman Rich Cline said.
Seneca Industrial Economic Development Corp. obtains CDBG funds and City Council decides how it is spent.
A project estimate is unclear at this point, Howard said.
