San Antonio Council hears emergency demolition cases for fire-damaged properties

The San Antonio Construction Standards Board convened on February 13, 2025, to address several urgent demolition cases and property inspections. The meeting began with Alex Guajardo reporting on emergency demolitions that took place in January 2025 due to fires. Specifically, he noted that a structure on Crest Road was demolished in December, while another at 514 Shiley Avenue was taken down on January 28 following a fire incident. Additionally, a property located at 215 Dorsey Street was also demolished on January 30 due to a fire that occurred on January 24. Guajardo confirmed that no further action was required from the board regarding these demolitions.

Following this, the board moved on to discuss the property at 127 Ainés Avenue. Officer Brown presented the case, indicating that this was the first time it had been brought before the council. An inspection conducted on October 3, 2023, revealed that the property, located in the 78237 area, was not eligible for historical designation according to the Office of Historic Preservation. The owner was absent, but their attorney and a police officer were present to represent their interests.

Brown detailed the timeline of notifications sent to the property owner, noting that a formal order was issued on January 15, 2025, after multiple attempts to contact the owner went unanswered. The property is situated within 1,000 feet of Memorial High School and consists of a main structure and an accessory structure. No engineering reports or work scopes had been submitted for the property, and an evacuation notice had been posted.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from the staff, emphasizing the board's commitment to addressing safety concerns related to these properties. The discussions highlighted the ongoing efforts of the San Antonio Construction Standards Board to manage emergency demolitions and ensure compliance with city regulations.