City of Merrill will review actions leading to demolition approval for T.B. Scott Mansion – Wausau Daily Herald

Donations to Report for America fund journalism in underserved communities. Wausau Daily Herald

MERRILL The cityplans to review the actions of its staff leading up to the demolition of Merrill's historic T.B. Scott Mansion, according to an announcement on the city website.

The mansion, built around 135 years ago by Merrill's lumberman founder, was once a distinguishing city landmark but sat vacant for years and had fallen into a state of disrepair.

Ascension, which owns the nearby Good Samaritan Hospital, was granted a demolition permit by the city in February ahead of Ascension's sale of the property to Wausau's Aspirus HealthCare.

The T.B. Scott Mansion in Merrill in 1899.(Photo: Courtesy of the Merrill Historical Society)

The move caught many in the community by surprise, and some launched an effort to preserve parts of the mansion, including its distinctive tower.

Many residents have been critical of the city's actions leading up to the decision to destroy the mansion. An online petition to save the building garnered more than 2,880 signatures.

The online post from the city said its Personnel and Finance Committee would be hiring a lawyer towork with " a former human resource professional" to review the actions taken by city staff and elected officials in the lead-up to the mansion's demolition.

The release states that a report will be made available following the review.

RELATED: Merrill's historic T.B. Scott Mansion is 135 years old and vacant. Can it get a new life?

RELATED: T.B. Scott Library in Merrill closes community room, voting site because of water damage

Renee Hickman is a Report For America corps member based at the Wausau Daily Herald covering rural issues in Wisconsin. Contact at rhickman@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @ReneeNHickman. Please consider supporting journalism that informs our democracy with a tax-deductible gift to this reporting effort at WausauDailyHerald.com/RFA.

Read or Share this story: https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/2021/04/02/merrill-t-b-scott-mansion-demolition-approval-under-city-review/7062870002/

Read the original post:

City of Merrill will review actions leading to demolition approval for T.B. Scott Mansion - Wausau Daily Herald