FDL County Judge Approves Motion to Dismiss Restraining Order Holding Up Demolition of Former Convent

Fond du Lac County Judge Robert Wirtz has approved a motion
to dismiss a restraining order that is holding up the demolition of the former
Convent of the Holy Nativity in Fond du Lac.

The motion to dismiss was granted by Judge Wirtz on
Wednesday. A fire severely damaged the convent at 101 East Division Street in
2015, and despite a “Raze or Repair” order filed by the city that same year, not
much has been done to the building since then.

The City of Fond du Lac hired a company in August of last
year to begin the demolition process, but the owner, George Panousis filed the
restraining order to prevent the building from being torn down.

Panousis purchased the former convent in 2006, and
announced plans to restore it. No restoration took place, and in June of 2015 a
fire that was believed to be arson-related burned the building.

While the order was dismissed, nothing will happen to the
building until the order is signed.