Published: April 08, 2008 11:54 am      

New Albany set to demolish two unsafe properties

The New Albany Building Commission rejected two extension requests for property owners wanting more time to fix dilapidated structures on their land.

The buildings are now set for demolition that will be carried out by the city, with the cost being transferred to a lien on the property. Building Commissioner Ron Hartman said bids would be accepted for demolition for the structures after Monday’s decision by the commission.

He would not comment on the estimated cost for the demolition, as Hartman said he did not want to taint the bidding process.

One of the properties is located at 30 E. 18th St. The owners had previously been granted extensions in order to clean up the lot and address structural issues to two structures.

The buildings are not residences and have been deemed as unsafe by the commissioner’s office.

Though the owners were not pleased by the decision, the commission voted unanimously to proceed with demolition on the two structures after deciding not enough progress had been made to warrant another extension.

Michael Futter — owner of the lots at 707 and 711 W. Spring St. — took the commission’s decision to decline an extension a little better.

Futter had tried to work out an agreement with Habitat for Humanity for that group to buy the two houses in question, but no deal was reached. He said bad weather in recent weeks had delayed his work of tearing down the houses, and the commission voted to alleviate the problem with its own destruction plan.

Hartman said continuing to delay demolitions keeps unsafe structures standing.

“The more I get behind on situations like these, it makes it harder for me to catch up,” he said.

The commission acted on a lengthy agenda Monday with several structures up for demolition. Commission President Steve LaDuke said the increased numbers are part of the continued effort to make headway in removing unsightly and dangerous buildings.

Hartman said in both cases, plenty of time was given for improvements to be made.

“The mayor really wants to clean things up and there has to be an end to it.” Hartman said.

Unsafe Structure Updates

• 707 and 711 W. Spring St. — will be demolished by the city.

• 1909 E. Spring St. — will be demolished by the city.

• 1663 Kenwood Ave. — commission took no action as owner continues to make improvements.

• 822 W. Market St. — owner has made required improvements.

• 1925 Center St. — will be demolished by city.

• 716 E. 11th St. — will be demolished by city.

• 521 W. Main St. — commission took no action, continuing to work with owners.

• 324 Galt St. — commission took no action

• 1114 E. Oak St. — was sold at sheriff's sale; 30 days given for more information to be received.

• 2009 E. Elm St. — given one week to tear down garage.

• 221 Sloemer Ave. — owner has demolished, scheduled for cleanup.

• 640 W. 5th St. — given 30 more days to finish work.

• 30 E. 18th St. — will be demolished by city.

• 1817 Conservative St. — city has accepted bid to demolish.

• 1657 Terry Lane — given 30 more days for demolition.