Rochester, MN  (KROC AM News) - The Rochester City Council Monday denied a demolition permit for the Kutzky House, which has been sitting vacant and in declining condition since it was moved to make way for an apartment building a few years ago.

The house is on the 800 block of 1st St SW and the current owner has not publicly said what the future plans are for the property.

The city’s Heritage Preservation Commission recommended the permit be denied.

The owner says estimated costs to rehab the house that was built about 100 years ago have shot up from original estimates to over $600,000, making the project too expensive.

In other action, the council approved the installation of a fence in the median of South Broadway between 3rd and 4th streets where pedestrians often cross the busy street.

The council has also approved the hiring of a firm to begin looking at sites for a new downtown parking ramp. The preferred site is north of the civic center, which is already owned by the city.

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