724 W. Pine to be demolished

[Amber Floyd Lee]

The eyesore property at 724 W. Pine Street is finally going to be demolished.

After years of neglect, a demolition order, a lawsuit from Bank of America and lots of hand wringing on the part of the city, the JC's Legal Department has given the okay for the demolition to occur. Angie Carrier, Development Services Director, called me to let me know a work order was submitted to Public Works today. The city will film the demolition and Angie thinks it will occur within the next few weeks.

The owner walked away from this property years ago. It sat vacant for some time. Then some relatives moved in and tried to keep the place up. When they left and other relatives moved in. Those relatives did no maintenance to the property for years and often went without heat, electricity or running water. Neighbors were unable to get the city or the bank involved during this time.

When the last relatives moved out over a year ago, the city finally took action. After a long process in front of the Board of Dwelling Standards (and much support from Tree Streeters) the Board voted to tear down the house. Enter awesome corporate citizens, Bank of America. (sarcasm heavy). BofA said the house was in livable condition and just needed some handrails and gutters. Dozens of "contractors" worked on the house the summer of 2012. Walk by and check out some of their handiwork, like the new handrail on the rotten deck or the bathtub caulking as window glazing. BofA sued the city to keep the house from being demolished. After the BofA attorney finally drove out to look at the house, the bank dismissed their lawsuit. They city has waited months to get some assurance from BofA that they will not re-litigate this issue. In December 2012, the bank finally foreclosed on the property and the bank bought it. There was much talk about Bank of America donating the property to the city, but they have decided to keep it. The city FINALLY got assurance from BofA that there would be no more litigation regarding this house. So the demolition order was sent to public works today.

Hip, hip hooray!

[Amber Floyd Lee]

It is coming down now.