Reagor building falls to bulldozer

• Ken Reagor still owns the land on which the building sat. File photo
• Maynard Construction Services conducted demolition of the former Reagor Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing and Electric building Feb. 19 in Burnet. Raymond V. Whelan/Bulletin

After decades of uninterrupted profitable and popular service, the Reagor Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing and Electric supply highway frontage building stands no more.

On Monday, Feb. 19, one Maynard Construction Services bulldozer demolished the building at 300 N. Water St. (U.S. 281).

Fire severely damaged the structure Dec. 5, 2022. The Texas Fire Marshal inspected the property two months after the fire. Shortly after- wards, the investigator released the structure back to Ken Reagor, the building principal owner.

However, last June, the independent ATS engineer and surveyor firm based in Austin branded the building as a “dangerous structure” and a “nuisance.”

In turn, Burnet City Council called for its demolition.

Last December, Attorney James Minerve filed a petition for Reagor, pleading for a temporary restraining order to delay the demolition of the building.

In response to the petition, 424th District Court Judge Evan Stubbs ordered the city to put a temporary halt to the demolition.

The Burnet Dangerous Building Board of Appeals conducted a public hearing on the building last month.

During the Jan. 9 hearing, Reagor told the board “the front part of the building is salvageable.”

Also, Burnet Historical Commission Chair Rachel Bryson voiced opposition to demolition of the building.

The building was built with stone quarried form Granite Mountain during the Great Depression more than 80 years ago, Bryson said.

“The building can be preserved and made safe,” she added.

Too, Burnet Police Chief Brian Lee addressed the board.

“There is heavy fire damage throughout the building,” Lee said. “There has been no mitigation to make it safe.”

In turn, the board voted 7-0 to demolish the building.

The appeals board included all seven Burnet city council members, including Mayor Gary Wideman and council members Tres Clinton, Dennis Langley, Ricky Langley, Joyce Laudenschlager, Mary Jane Shanes and Philip Thurman.

The city will charge Reagor for the cost of demolition, City Manager David Vaughn said.

Reagor still owns the land attached to the demolished building, he added.

“The city can abate the nuisance, but it cannot take the property,” Vaughn said.