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RESOLUTION
CITY OF SA1NT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Presented By
Referred To
Committee: Date
1 WHEREAS, Neighborhood.Housing & Property Improvement has requested the City Council to
2 hold public hearings to consider the advisability and necessity of ordering the repair or wrecking and
3 removal of a two-story, wood frame, duplex with a detached, two-stall, wood frame and concrete block
4 garage located on property hereinafter referred to as the "Subj ect Properiy" and commonly known as 930
5 Duchess Street. This properiy is legally described as follows, to wit:
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Lot 51, Block 2, Auditor's Subdivision No. 7 St. Paul Minn
9 WHEREAS, based upon the records in the Ramsey County Recorder's Office and information
10 obtained by Neighborhood Housing & Property Improvement on or before July 23, 2003, the following are
11 the now known interested or responsible parties for the Subject Property: David R. Johnson,
12 478 Cleveland Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105-1327; Gary Torgerson, 14262 - 10 Street.
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Stillwater, MN 55082
WHEREAS, Neighborhood Housing & Property Improvement has served in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislarive Code an order identified as an "Order to Abate
Nuisance Building(s)" dated November 18, 2003; and
WHEREAS, this order informed the then known interested or responsible parties that the structure
located on the Subject Property is a nuisance building(s) pursuant to Chapter 45; and
WHEREAS, this order informed the interested or responsible parties that they must repair or
demolish the struchue located on the Subject Property by December 18, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the enforcement officer has posted a placard on the Subject Property declaring this
building(s) to constitute a nuisance condition; subject to demolition; and
WH$REAS, this nuisance condition has not been corrected and Neighborhood Housing & Property
Improvement requested that the City Clerk schedule public hearings before the Legislative Hearing Officer
of the City Council and the Saint Paul City Council; and
WHEREAS, the interested and responsible parties haue been served notice in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code, of the time, date, place and purpose of the
public hearings; and
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Council File # � -��
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1 WFIEREAS, a hearing was held before the Legislative Hearing Officer of the Saint Paul City
2 Council on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 to hear testimony and evidence, and after receiving tesrimony and
3 evidence, made the recommendation to approve the request to order the interested or responsible parties to
4 make the Subject Properiy safe and not detrimental to the public peace, health, safety and welfaze and
5 remove its blighting influence on the community by rehabilitating this structure in accordance with all
6 applicabie codes and ordinances, or in the alternative by demolishing and removing the structure in
7 accordance with all applicable codes and ordinances. The rehabilitation or demolition of the structure to be
8 completed within��ee�� �� days after the date of the Council Hearing; and
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WFIEREAS, a hearing was held before the Saint Paul City Council on Wednesday, February 4,
2004 and the testimony and evidence including the action taken by the L,egislative Hearing Officer was
considered by the Council; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that based upon the testimony and evidence presented at the above referenced
public hearings, the Saint Paul City Council hereby adopts the following Findings and Order concerning the
Subject Property at 930 Duchess Street:
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That the Subject Property comprises a nuisance condition as defined in Saint Paul
Legislative Code, Chapter 45.
That the costs of demolition and removal of this building(s) is estimated to exceed three
thousand dollars ($3,000.00).
That there now exists and has existed multiple Housing or Building code violations at the
Subject Property.
That an Order to Abate Nuisance Building(s) was sent to the then lrnown responsible parties
to correct the deficiencies or to demolish and remove the building(s).
That the deficiencies causing this nuisance condition have not been corrected.
That Neighborhood Housing & Property Improvement has posted a placard on the Subject
Properiy which declares it to be a nuisance condition subject to demolition.
That tl�is building has been routinely monitored by Neighborhood Housing & Property
Ixnprovement, Vacant/Nuisance Buildings.
That the known interested parties and owners are as previously stated in this resolution and
that the notification requirements of Chapter 45 have been fulfilled.
ORDER
The Saint Paul City Council hereby makes the following order:
1. The above referenced interested or responsible parties shall make the Subj ect Properiy safe and not
detrimental to the public peace, health, safety and welfare and remove its blighting influence on the
community by rehabilitating this structure and correcting all deficiencies as prescribed in the above
referenced:Order to Abate Nuisance Building(s) in accordance with all applicable codes and
ordinances, or in the altemative by demolishing and removing the structure in accordance with all
applicable codes and ordinances. The rehabilitation or demolition and removal of the structure
must be completed within f�*A�^ ��Tdays after the date of the Council Hearing.
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2. If the above conective action is not completed within this period of time Neighborhood Housing &
Property Improvement is hereby authorized to take whatever steps are necessary to demolish and
remove this structure, fill the site and charge the costs incurred against the Subject Property
pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45 of the 5aint Paul L,egislative Code.
3. In the event the building is to be demolished and removed by the City of Saint Paul, all personal
property or fixtures of any kind which interfere with the demolition and removal shall be removed
from the property by the responsible parties by the end of this rime period. If all personal property
is not removed, it shall be considered to be abandoned and the City of Saint Paul shall remove and
dispose of such properry as provided by law.
4. It is fiuther ordered, that a copy of this resolurion be mailed to the owners and interested parties in
accordance with Chapter 45 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
Requested by Department of:
Benanav
Mon tcromerV
Bostrom
Thune
Har
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Adop
Adop
By:
Appr
By:
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Absent Nei hborhoo Housin Pro ert Im rovement
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By: �
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Form Approved by City Attorney
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Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet Green Sheet �
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Contact Person & Phone:
Andy Dawltins
266-1927
Must Be on Councii qgenda by (Date):
04-FEB-04
a2.,�-04 ! Green Sheet NO: 3009735
� oenartment �enc�o rerson
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Assign 1 ('"fizeu Services � Deoartmen[ Director
Num6er 2 - h• Attomev
For ; avo 's ffice bia oN sistant
Routing
Order 4 :c' cii
5 iN C�erk ! CN Clerk
Total # of Signature Pages ` (Clip All Locations for Signature)
Action Requested:
City Council to pass this resolurion wluch will order the owne(s) to remove or repair the referenced building(s). If the owner fails to
comply with the resolution, the Neighborhood Housing and Property Improvement is ordered to remove the building. The subject
property is located 930 Duchess Street.
Recommendations: Approve (A) or
Pla�niag Commission
CIB Committee
Civil Service Commission
Must MSwer Llte hoilOWing (1ue5tlon5:
1. Has this person/f�rm ever worked under a contract for this departmenY?
Yes No
2. Has this perso�rm ever been a city employee?
Yes No
3. Dces this persontfirm possess a skiff not nonnalry possessed by a�ry
current city employee? �
Yes No
Explain ail yes answers on separate sheet and attach to green sheet
Initiatin9 Problem, Issues, Opportunity (Who, What, Wben, Where, Why):
This building(s) is a nuisance building(s) as defined in Chapter 45 and a vacant building as defined in Chapter 43 of the Saint Paul
Legislarive Code. The owners, interested parties and responsible parties Imown to the Enforcement Officer were given an order to
repair or iemove the buIlding at 430 Duchess Street by Decembec 18, 2003, and have failed to comply with those oxdeis.
Advantages If Approved:
The City will eliminate a nuisance.
DisadvaMageslfApproved:
The Ciry will spend funds to wreck and remove this bulding(s). These costs will be assessed to the property, collected as a special
assessment against the property taxes.
I Disadvantages If Not Approved: '
� A nuisance condition will remain unabated in the City. This building(s) will continue to blight the co�nity.
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I Tofal Aa�atint of
Trm�on: �� ��ev�ueBfafgeted: Y
Pssaainp sosscce: Nuis�ce i �st�Ir �canbec_ 3QZSi �� �� g
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REPORT
Date: January 27, 2004
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: Room 330 City Hall
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
LEGISLATIVE HEARING FOR ORDERS TO REMOVE/REPAII2, CONDEMNATIONS, AND
ABATEMENT ASSESSMENTS
Marcia Moermond
Legislative Hearing Officer
1. Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the property at 690 Burr Street. If the
owaer fails to comply with the resolution, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the
building.
Legislative Hearing Officer recommends approval.
� 2. Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the property at 930 Duchess Street. If the
owner fails to compiy with the resolution, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the
building.
Legislative Hearing Officer recommends granting 180 days to complete the rehabilitation of the
proper[y on the condition that the following is done by noon of February 4, 2004: 1) the building is
entirely secured; 2) the windows are completely boarded with %z inch plywood; 3) the foundation is
completely protected from entry; and 4) the sidewalk area is free from trip/fal] hazards by use of
fencing as appropriate.
3. Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the property at 598 Western Avenue. If
the owner fails to comply with the resolution, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the
building.
Legislative Hearing Officer recommends granting 180 days to complete the rehabilitation of the
property on the condition that a bond has been posted by noon of February 4, 2004.
4. Appeal of Summary Abatement Order dated January 14, 2004, at 899 Palace Avenue.
Legislative Hearing O�cer recommends denying the appeal.
5. Appeal of Summary Abatement Order dated January 6, 2004, at 930 Duchess Street.
Legisiative Hearing O�cer recommends denying the appeal and granting an extension to February
6, 2004.
6. Appeal of Summary Abatement Order dated January 16, 2004, at 930 Duchess Street.
Legislative Hearing Officer recommends denying the appeal and granting an extension to February
6, 2Q04.
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CTTY OF SAINT PAUL
Randy C. Ke/ly, Mayar
January 2, 2004
DNISION OF PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT oL� //7
Andy Dawkins, Program M¢n¢ger
Nuisance Bui[ding Code Enjorcement
1600NonhWhiteBearAvenue Tel: 65I-26b7900
SaintPaul, � 55l06 F¢s: 651-266-1926
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council President and
Members of the City Council
Neighborhood Housing & Property Improvement , V acantlNuisance Buiidings Enforcement
Division has requested the City Council schedule public hearings to consider a resolution
ordering the repair or removal of the nuisance building(s) located at:
930 Duchess Street
The City Council has scheduled the date of these hearings as follows:
Legislative Hearing - Tuesday, January 27, 2004
City Council Hearing - Wednesday, February 4, 2004
The owners and responsible parties of record are:
Name and Last Known Address
David R. Johnson
478 Cieveland Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105-1327
Gary Torgerson
14262 -10�` Street
Stillwater, MN 55082
. - - . - . .�. .. � . ,�� . .. -
Interest
Fee Owner
Interested Party
Lot51, $lack2, Anr�tn�s S�bdivisian Na 7 SL Paul M�n
Neighborhood Housing & Properiy 3mprovement has declared f.his building(s) to constitute a
"nuisance" as defined by Legisfative Code, Chapter 45. Neighborhood Housing & Progerty
Improvement has issued an order to the then laiown responsible parties to eliminate this nuisance
condition by correcting the fleficiencies or by razing and removing this building(s).
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930 Duchess Street
January 2, 2004
Page 2
Inasmuch as this Order to Abate has not been complied with the nuisance condition remains
unabated, the community continues to suffer the blighting influence of this property. It is the
recommendation of the Neighborhood Housing & Properly Improvement that the City Council
pass a resolution ordering the responsible parties to either repau, or demolish and remove this
building in a timely manner, and failing that, authorize the Neighborhood Housing & Property
Improvement to proceed to demolition and removal, and to assess the costs incuned against the
real estate as a special assessment to be collected in the satne manner as tases.
Sincerely,
1> /i i
Steve Magner
Vacant Buildings Supervisor
Neighborhood Housing & Properiy Improvement
SM:ml
ca Frank Berg, Building Inspection and Design
Meghan Riley, City Attomeys Office
MaryErickson, Assistant Secretary to the Council
Laurie Kaplan, PED-Housing Division
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DNISION OF PROPERTY CODE ENFORCE�tENT �/�
Andy Daukins, Frog�¢m hlannger
�, �r s V r PA V L, 1�«isante Building Code Enjorcemersi
Ra+uly C. Kelly, Hlayor 1600 Nor[h FVhite Bear Avenue Te[: 65l-166-1900
Sairtt Paul, MN 5�706 F¢z: 651-266-1926
January 2, 2004
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
To all Known Responsible and/or Interested Parties
Dear Sir or Madam:
The Saint Paul City Council and the Legislative Hearing Officer of the City Council have scheduled
public hearings to consider a Council Resolution ordering the repair or removal of the building(s) located
at 930 Duchess 5treet.
In accordance with the provisions of the Saint Paul Legislative Code Chapter 45, all owners of record and
other interested parties with a laiow� interest in this building(s) are hereby notified of these hearings. At
these hearings testimony will be heard from the Neighborhood Housing & Property Improvement
Enforcement Officer and any other parties who wish to be heard. The Council will adopt a resolution
describing what action, if any, the Council deems appropriate.
Please be advised the Public Hearing before the Legislative Hearing Officer is scheduled for:
Tuesday, January 27, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 330, City Hall, 15 West
Kellogg Boulevard; Saint Paul, MN 55106
The Legislative Hearing Offacer will hear the evidence and make a recommendation for action to the full
City Council:
Wednesday, February 4, 2004, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers,
3rd Floor, City Ha11,15 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55106.
All costs incurred by the City, including inspection costs, administrative costs, title searches, filing fees
and, if necessary, demolition and removal expenses, will be assessed against the real estate as a special
assessment to be collected in the same manner as real estate taxes. If you have any questions conceming
this matter please call the Vacant/Nuisance Buildings Code Enforcement Officer Steve Maaner at
(651)266-1928, or you may leave a voice mail message.
Sincerely,
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Steve Maoner
V"acant Buildin�s Supervisor
Nei,,ahborhood Housing & Property Tmprovement
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LEGISLATIVE HEARING MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2004 Page 4
transaction with Ms. Cox, and are in the process of cleaning out the building. Mr. Magner
suspects that they aze looking for 180 days to bring the properiy into compiiance.
Ms. Moermond asked if they had a purchase agreement for the properry. Ms. Athias responded
that they have purchased the property. Ms. Moermond reviewed the photographs that were taken
at the time of inspection in July 2003.
Ms. Athias explained that everything has been removed from the building, a$2,000 bond will be
posted today, and they are ready to begin the rehabilitation. Ms. Moermond asked if they had
done this kind ofthing before. Ms. Athias responded that they have rehabbed 695 Charles, 650
Central, 793 Selby, 713 Aurora, etc. They are professional rehabbers, licensed realtors, brokers,
and contractors. They did not own the property when there were a number of suminary
abatement orders on it.
Mr. Magner added that the new owners need to maintain the exterior of the properiy. The
building needs to remain secure; the walks need to be taken care of today; and the yard needs to
be cleaned. Ms. Moermond added that the oniy thing that can change her recommendation is if
all of this stuff isn't taken caze of by noon, February 4, 2004.
Ms. Moermond recommends 180 days to complete the rehabilitation of the property on the
condition that a bond has been posted by noon February 4, 2004.
Appeal of Summary Abatement Orders dated January 6, 2004 and January 16, 2004 at 930
Duchess StreeY.
Mr. Magner submitted photographs of the site.
Ms. Moermond asked Gary Torgerson if he had pulled building permits. He replied thaT he did.
Mr. Magner stated that currently there is a new bond on the property. These two orders are
intertwined. In October 2002, Code Enforcement opened a registered category 3 vacant building
due to the conditions of the dwelling. At that time, Bazbaza Anderson and Gregory Howard were
listed as owners. Sununary Aba#ements were issued to get it secured. In December 2002, Code
Enforcement received a vacant buiiding registration form and the vacant building fees were paid,
indicating that Mr. Howard had plans to rehabilitate the property. The property changed
ownership. His assumption is that David Johnson purchased the properiy, turned right azound
and sold it to Mr. Torgerson on a contract-for-deed. A code compliance inspection had been
performed in December 2002. Then a performance bond was posted in March 2003 and work
commenced. Subsequently, the permits were pulled and work began. Code Enforcement issued
some Summary Abatement Orders to clean-up some refuse and deal with vehicles. After the
one-year time period expired (September 16) and the work had not been completed, Code
Enforcement started the Building Deficiency Inspection Program and issued an order to abate.
Mr. Torgerson obtained a new bond on December 27, 2003. Mr. Magner cailed Mr. Torgerson
and issued Summary Abatement Orders about keeping the property secure on the site. As you
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LEGISLATIVE HEARING MINUTES OF JANIJARY 27, 2004 Page 5
can see by the photos, there needs to be extensive foundation work completed. The house sits up
against the sidewalk. The photos show boazds and braces set up and there is a fence. The fence
needs to stay intact, and this site needs to remain secure because the open excavation creates a
safety hazard. The latest concem of Mr. Magner's (January 5, 2004) is that there's a lazge
amount of rubble and miscellaneous debris thrown around behind the garage, including some
concrete chunks which need to be removed and the yazd needs to be cleaned-up; and the west
side gazage window was broken out at the time. Originally, Mr. Magner gave them a January 22,
2004 date because he knew it would take some time to remove the rubble. After a week, Mr.
Magner returned to check on the conditions. Mr. Torgerson had taken the initiative to board the
gazage, but now some of the boards on the house windows had been tampered with and were
loose. Also, the boards were thin plywood which doesn't meet Code EnforcemenPs criteria.
Boazds for boazding up windows needs to be at least'/z inch plywood, and they need to be
fastened all the way around the window, not just part of it. At that time, Mr. Magner re-issued a
new Summary Abatement Order with the same compliance date, January 22, 2004, to make sure
the building was secure and to remind Mr. Torgerson that the rubble needed to be removed.
After that, an appeal was filed. Mr. Magner was at the site yesterday, January 26, 2004, to check
on any progress. He noted that most of the rubble is still on site and some of the windows boards
are there, but only partially secured and would not meet Code Enforcement requirements to have
the whole window completely covered with'/z inch plywood.
Ms. Moermond asked whether work orders were required for the five (5) Summary Abatement
Orders. Mr. Magner responded that originally the City did a boarding, prior to Mr. Johnson and
Mr. Torgerson taking possession. Subsequently, it looks like only one vehicle work order went
through & Mr. Magner wasn't sure whether that vehicle was actually towed. The other things
look like they've been addressed. Mr. Torgerson generally does try to take caze of these issues
once he's been notified. Ms. Moermond asked Mr. Torgerson when he acquired the property.
Mr. Torgerson responded that they acquired it about February 2003. He added that the bond
hadn't gone a year and expired. Permits were issued on May 14, 2003. On October 24, 2003,
Mr. Magner had scheduled an inspection with Jim Seeger and Rich Singerhouse. Mr. Seeger
advised Mr. Torgerson to post another $2,000 bond to have time to complete the work. On
October 25, 2003, Mr. Torgerson posted another $2,000 bond. The order to take remedial action
was not received until November 18, 2003, and he had already taken the action to solve the
problem. Mr. Torgerson provided photographs that reflected what had been done to remedy the
exposure to excavating under the house. They had formed a piywood wall all the way azound the
house so that one couid not fall in the event one stepped off the sidewalk.
Ms. Moermond asked how long they will be doing the block work. Mr. Torgerson replied that
they aze ready to set the house onto the foundation right now. All the walls aze braced and ready
to go. Ms. Moermond questioned them about the rubble. Mr. Torgerson said that it would be no
problem at all to remove the concrete chunks.
Mr. Magner explained that with the Summary Abatement Order, he was addressing primazily two
(2) outstanding issues: 1) the concrete rubbie on the east side of the garage in the back, a cast iron
trap, and soine miscellaneous things; and 2) securing the windows with'/z inch plywood nailed
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LEGISLATIVE HEARING MINUTES OF JANUARY 27, 2004 Page 6
completely azound the window. Mr. Torgerson explained that he'd rather not have the building
boazded, but the buildir�g had mostly new thermal pane windows until the kids broke them out.
He wish that he could install the new ones, but doesn't want to risk any more breakings.
Ms. Moermond recommends denying the appeals and granting and extension to Febniary 9,
2004.
Resolution ordering the owner to remove or repair the property at 930 Duchess Street. If
the owner fails to comply with the resolution, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the
building.
Ms. Moermond explained that she wanted to do a couple of conditions that are not normally done
to grant the 180 days: fencing or some other means to secure foundation azea from the sidewalk;
secure the whole azea from trip/fall hazazd or illegal entry into the building by February 4, 2004.
Ms. Moermond recommends granting 180 days to complete the rehabilitation of the property on
the condition that the following is done by noon of February 4, 2004: 1) the building is entirely
secured; 2) the windows are completely boazded with'/z inch plywood; 3) the foundation is
completely protected from entry; and 4) the area is free from trip/fall hazazds by use of fencing as
appropriate.
Resolvtion ordering the owner to remove or repair the property at 690 Burr Street. If the
owner fails to comply with the resolution, Code Enforcement is ordered to remove the
building.
Mr. Magner submitted photographs.
Mr. Magner stated that this is a 2-story wood frame duplex on a lot of 5,227 squaze feet. The
building was condemned on October 1, 2002 by Code Enforcement and has been vacant since.
The current property owner, according to Ramsey County, is Charden M. Gomez, Sr. There has
been no contact with Mr. Gomez. Mr. Magner has had previous contact regarding other
buildings. It is unclear as to his exact whereabouts. There have been five (5) Sununary
Abatement Notices issued to remove accumulated refuse and secure the dwelling. On October
28, 2003, an inspection of the building was conducted. A list of deficiencies which constitute a
nuisance condition was developed and pHoTOgraphs were taken. An order to abate nuisance
building was issued on November 18, 2003 with a compliance date of December 18, 2003. As of
this date, tiie property remains in a condifion that comprises a nuisance as defined by the
Legislative Code. The City has had to boazd the building to secure it against trespass. Vacant
building fees aze due and owning. Real Estate tases have been paid. TaYation has placed an
estimated market value of $13,200 on the land and $25,900 on the building. On December 24,
2002, a code compliance inspection was done. As of December 27, 2004, a bond has not been
posted. Code Enforcement estimates the cost of repairs to the structure between $70,000 and
$80,000, and demolition between $6,000 and $7,000.