COOS BAY, Ore. -The Lockhart Building in Downtown Coos Bay is beyond repair, but will it end up taking other buildings down with it?

Located on Central and Third streets, it was condemned in the summer of 2008, due to safety concerns.

The buildings owner, who city officials believe left the country, also left behind an asbestos and mold ridden building that's about to crumble due to its leaky roof.

The city is at a crossroads. They can't justify trying to repair it but must eat the cost of tearing it down.

The Urban Renewal Agency was told this week that removal would cost anywhere from $400,000 to $500,000, depending on what they do with an adjoining building, including different ways to steady the shared wall.

According to Gene Melton, President of the Agency, "There's no good feasible, inexpensive way to even save that wall or the building. So we're between a rock and a hard spot when it comes right down to it."

While the city is not legally bound to replace the wall, Mayor Jeff McKeown said the city shouldn't just leave it hanging.

Gary Rifkin, who owns the adjacent structure suggested that the city buy it. They could then tear both buildings down, which may be less expensive and create more parking for downtown businesses.

"It would help this downtown corner, which has struggled for ever since I've been there," said Rifkin.

Mayor McKeown replied, "If nothing is going to go up for some time, then perhaps try the parking lot, see what happens. Maybe it helps our downtown. I'd rather do that than just have a sand pit there.>

The issue will be taken up at the Coos Bay City Council meeting on March 16, and could include the final plan for the Lockhart.