NILES — The renovation of one major empty Niles building and the demolition of another were discussed at a committee of the whole meeting Monday between city employees and city council at the Niles Fire Department Complex, 1345 E. Main St.

City Administrator Ric Huff provided an update on the Post Office Apartments, a 60-unit complex to be built in the former Niles post office, 322 E. Main St. Huff said issues with soil stability caused developer General Capital Group to assess its options for construction.

With Ray’s approval, the developer will likely create a safe, level slope by digging up sidewalk and road if needed. Then, General Capital Group will be required to replace what it excavated according to city specifications.

Also Monday, Huff provided an update on the closed Niles Inn, 930 S. 11th St. Huff laid out options to get the inn demolished and prime the property for development.

The Niles Inn property is owned by a group of family investors from the Detroit area that have been at odds with one another, leading to no demolition or renovation of the property despite the fire department issuing citations, Huff said.

Huff recommended to the council that the city pay for the building’s demolition, estimated to be $350,000 to $400,000 because the property could be sold for upwards of $1 million.

“The catch is, who knows how long it’s going to take, and you could have your money tied up for six months or 60 years,” he said.

Huff said the city could issue a court order to the owners to tear down the inn. If the owners do not tear it down, then the property would be put up for auction with the city as a bidder.

If bids come under the estimated $400,000 price, it would be given to the city as collateral. If bids go over, the city will receive its money back.

Fire chief Larry Lamb said the Niles Inn needs to go, regardless of the means of doing so.

“The police department is there all the time,” he said. “Our guys have been there boarding it up. There’s a real damage to our community going on in that building.”