Bill’s Bookstore sale falls through

Jan. 29--Just when he thought he was out, Grandview resident Bill Miller finds himself once again burdened with his dilapidated downtown Cleburne building, the long-running former site of Bill's Bookstore.

Adding to the list of costly repairs required, city officials have now called for an asbestos survey and, if necessary, abatement -- repairs and studies Miller said he cannot afford.

Cleburne business owner Maricella Soto earlier this month agreed to buy Miller's building. Soto said she planned to fix the building up and sell it or lease it.

Miller last week said he was not sure where the potential sale stood but thought Soto may have changed her mind on the purchase.

Soto confirmed as much on Tuesday. She blamed the city for her change of heart saying that the costs of repairing the building proved prohibitive and adding that, in her opinion, city officials were likely to continue adding additional costly violations, making it impossible for her to ever rehabilitate the property.

"It's a shame," Soto said. "The people should have united behind Bill Miller to help him out. It's also sad [city officials] don't use their power for good and are pretty much just going to let those downtown buildings fall apart and not do a thing."

City officials in May, citing more than 20 health and safety violations, shuttered Miller's store and gave him until September to correct violations.

Other than moving some books out of the store and general cleanup, few if any repairs have been performed.

Members of the Cleburne Building and Standards Commission granted subsequent extensions to allow Miller time to make the repairs or attempt to sell the building.

Miller, who had operated a bookstore in the building since the early 1980s, said at the time he did not have the funds to repair his building, which he was also living in.

Several residents cried foul and claimed the city unfairly forced Miller out of business. City officials countered that the building is unsanitary and unsafe both for Miller and the public.

Residents donated money to Miller, helped him move to an apartment in Grandview and helped him organize sidewalk book sales to raise money.

Miller leased space and opened a new bookstore on North Anglin Street for a short time but that lease has since expired and the bookstore closed. Miller hoped to open a bookstore in Grandview but said he has been unable to find any affordable space and now doubts he will be able to.

Someone -- opinions of whom vary -- pulled floor tile in Miller's building, which necessitated the need for an asbestos study. Miller said he has no income except for his monthly Social Security check. Miller said he does not have the money to perform the city's original list of repairs and certainly not enough to pay for asbestos surveying and abatement on top of that.

To make matters worse, Miller was involved in a downtown traffic accident in November and said he discovered that his insurance was canceled several days before the accident.

Miller, 81, said he worries about the future. He still hopes to sell his building so he can have a bit of money to live on, but doubts that will happen.

"With the economy and all, I'm not sure anyone will ever buy that building," Miller said.

City officials stress that their intent is to see downtown's many rundown buildings repaired and revived. As a last resort, however, should the problems of Miller's building remain unresolved, the building may be condemned and ultimately demolished.

The building and standards commission will address the future of Miller's building during their 9 a.m. meeting Feb. 19 at Cleburne City Hall.

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