City Officials Approve Demolition Permit for Hazardous Building After Inspections

A hazardous building in Houston is set for demolition after city inspections deemed it unsafe. During a recent meeting of the Historic Preservation Appeals Board, officials revealed that the structure had an unlocked gate, raising concerns about security and safety.

City inspectors acted swiftly, stating, "We need to get this thing down now before someone gets hurt." This prompted communication between inspections and permitting staff to facilitate the demolition process, despite the absence of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the owners.

The city has issued a demolition permit, allowing the owners to proceed with tearing down the building. However, there was no prior request made to the preservation office regarding this action. The discussion highlighted the need for better security measures, as one board member questioned why the gate was left unlocked, suggesting that securing the property could have been a simpler solution than demolition.

As the city moves forward with the demolition, officials emphasized the importance of safety and the need for the owners to apply for the necessary permits post-demolition. This decision underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing historic preservation with public safety in Houston.