WALLOWA — The Wallowa City Council at its meeting Tuesday, April 15, gave tentative approval for plans to demolish the old United Methodist Church downtown and approved a permit for a mechanic shop to open.

The council tabled formal approval of the demolitions until the June 17 meeting — 60 days — to give time for any interested party to put in a bid on the property.

The former church sustained serious damage during the Aug. 11, 2022, hailstorm that damaged much of the town. Boards still cover windows on the building’s west side. The Nez Perce Tribe had planned to have a structural engineer examine the building, but did not receive a favorable enough report.

Keith Wellens, of Wellens Construction, has been contracted to conduct the demolition and in conjunction with the tribe, based in Lapwai, Idaho, is hoping to bring the building down. No specific date for demolition was agreed to, but Wellens said it would not interfere with the town’s July 4th Independence Day Parade.

Wellens said plans are to bring the structure down, dig out the foundation and basement, cap the water and sewer hookups and replace removed debris so a level lot remains. He said there are no plans to salvage any of the building’s materials.

The church closed June 30, 2021. The congregation at the time consisted of five people. The title to the property was signed over to the tribe that April 29. It had been owned by the Methodists for 144 years.

In another matter, the council approved a conditional-use permit sought by Kyle McDaniel, who hopes to begin an auto mechanics shop in Wallowa.

“It’s always good when another business comes to town,” Mayor Gary Hulse said.

The council also:

• Heard an update from Public Works Director Travis Goebel who said the city has gone back to Anderson Perry, the city’s engineering firm, and gotten a better deal on replacing the water meters. Anderson Perry initially had estimated the cost to be $25,000, but upon renegotiating, got it down to $7,500.

• Heard from Summer McCrackin, regional manager for Umpqua Bank, on plans to open a branch in Wallowa. McCrackin said the branch is scheduled to open May 27. Until then, she said, customers may do their banking through the Enterprise branch and it will be recorded as Wallowa money.

• Approved a request submitted by Kelsey Byrd-Clary to keep two lambs in her yard to raise them for the Wallowa County Fair.

• Approved a letter of resignation from Theresa Spaur as assistant city recorder. Spaur is going to work for Umpqua Bank.