The home in Somers along the Lake Michigan shoreline is teetering and losing the battle to erosion.
Demolition crews are working against the clock to bring it down safely before it tumbles into the lake, but it hasn’t been an easy process.
“The contractor has kind of run into issues with weather, and with equipment, personnel, so it’s been kind of a struggle,” said Somers Assistant Administrator Jason Peters.
The home was razed by the village in April, but it has been a longer timeline to bring down than anticipated.
Peters says the situation is unlike anything he’s seen in his short time with the village, but they’re also being mindful of other homes along the lake that could face a similar threat.
“There’s actually a couple [of homes] to the north there that the bank is starting to erode and get close to the house,” he said. “It’s not to the point where the house structures are in danger at this point, but they are getting close.”
As far as a solution, private owners can opt for revetment, but Peters says it comes with a price tag anywhere between $100,000 to $200,000.
Somers is also exploring the possibility of getting help from the federal government.
Listen to the full interview with Peters in the player above.