A home at 310 East Park Avenue in Flandreau was demolished this past week after repeated attempts with the homeowner to remedy a number of safety and nuisance violations. The property was issued its first letter outlining ordinance violations in 2021.
City Administrator Cohl Turnquist said that multiple letters were sent to Travis Kuhnel, the homeowner, to mitigate the concerns and violations. After repeated attempts to work with Kuhnel, the structure was condemned on April 28 and Kuhnel was fined. City workers proceeded this past week with a demolition of the home.
“The City has taken some significant actions over the last several years to ensure that we live in a safe and attractive community. It is our goal to work with property owners and offer assistance in ensuring that all structures and property do not represent a danger to the public and are up to code,” said Turnquist.  

Also of note from the City of Flandreau this past week, Turnquist said that the City was able to resubmit a letter of intent to the South Dakota Department of Transportation for planned a recreational trail project that is being primarily funded by the Flandreau Development Corporation. The City and FDC are once again pursuing the Transportation Alternative Grant for the project. The Letter of Intent is the preliminary documentation that lays out the scope of the project, construction estimates, and maps. The City and FDC representatives are scheduled to meet with SDDOT staff to do a site visit for the project, which will then lead to submission of the grant application in October.
Also worth noting, Turnquist said, is this year’s City Wide Clean-up. The date set for the event is September 9. The City will be accepting wood materials this year. More details will be made available regarding the clean-up in August, as Turnquist works with the National Guard to coordinate the event.