Problem of the week - Additional Info
Brad asked about project scope, so I'll start there. We are surveying for a co-op that is buying this property from the current owners. There are several properties of which our survey will comprise, this block is only a small part of the whole.
In fact, the east three lots of this particular block are not even part of the property. There is some question, but it appears that maybe those three lots belong to the railroad (still researching) with only a lease to the co-op. The west nine lots in this block (and other stuff west) is part of our survey. So, the road encroachment may not really affect us that bad, but I still need to establish my block - and they may eventually want the lease area surveyed.
Was at the courthouse today getting deeds, corner certificates & other record surveys in the town. Not surprising, there are not a lot of record surveys for this town (Dexter, Iowa), but the deeds seem to identify the properties without any ambiguities. There were several certificates for the various section corners surrounding this area, so they will (hopefully) be of help.
Did not make it to Dexter City Hall today (maybe Thursday) to check with them on what they believe is their right-of-way. The courthouse did not have any records that the right-of-way had been vacated or is any different than originally platted.
I did drive by the site to take a look before going to the courthouse. The road in question seems to have been asphalt at one time. Most of the asphalt is still visible, but much is broken, rutted and has a lot of gravel over it. So, it appears that at one time they tried to improve the road, but then let it fall into disrepair. I didn't have time to get out and search for corners today, plus it was raining, so that will be next trip.
The co-op does not own on the north side of the road. That is a private owner not affiliated with the co-op.
I'm with Kent, Kris & Carl, that the solution will be to survey my block properly regardless of where the physical road is and note any encroachment.
Overlaying the current photo with the 1950s photo in photoshop and increasing the opacity of 1950 in 25% increments, you can see how Madison was more or less in the right-of-way back then and then meandered south as the amoeba to the north expanded south:
Now
1950 25%
1950 50%
1950 75%
1950:
Interesting! We have to drive by your survey on Polk St to get to the Redfield Gas Complex ever since they started work on the bridge at the Redfield exit. Not a bad detour what with the fall colors. It'll be interesting to read about the fall out when you're done. BTW; when will the Redfield bridge be open again?
Redfield Bridge
> BTW; when will the Redfield bridge be open again?
Not quite sure. I had heard when they started the project that it would only take three months. That was back in July, so their time is just about up.
They worked pretty hard to take off the old bridge deck and then it seemed to sit for a long time with no activity. It looked like they've been working on it again here recently.