[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5973513,"mediaKeyId","5855196-d70fc1ff188c4644de0805acfbddc216","parentId",5855196,"title","New building official briefs board on demolitions, permits and open-vacant property rules","audioSeconds",544,"startMs",662000,"endMs",1206000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855196-d70fc1ff188c4644de0805acfbddc216&start=662&end=1206","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855196-d70fc1ff188c4644de0805acfbddc216/thumbnail_662000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5973513/Freeport/Brazoria-County/Texas/New-building-official-briefs-board-on-demolitions-permits-and-open-vacant-property-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973513-63f48191babccc8c7586a4a8ba26928c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411582&Signature=SzbwEshnh2ZP2HAF7X-swoBabvOGd99XVuVOVxASvcaTS~EofPQcI~Qkvd1u2AN70lTYHbEOHkvqEYnW4C4WHmj41Ui2sPchmZeP9EZ2IzoEriMpGXXX5q0oqQQ7YcM7BxI6fpviUKEn~ZxNBHxbfcVkFTPQqFNVUXJEz6USSmFxKGVwZ6JyZAUzgTAG83402vVV4Rt27l8jf0k7UhF2lNZQ~DRj1-q7wNCx2oV7eZoygWJJ2MBWqbWspnfl36MGKv3YEbITbjxXIs0v4jbfJfOf72WHzrJ6~1wzA2HYaz8DxA4ttTNcWR1cfPROKpZlYuhoXgBSM0QV5iH0~MQaDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Freeport, TX","date","2025-09-26T00:00:00Z","article","Reggie Harris, the city of Freeport's new building official, told the Board of Adjustment on Wednesday that staff will provide monthly updates on code-enforcement actions, several demolition-ready sites are being managed for owner compliance, and the city will pursue orders when properties remain open or do not show progress.

The updates matter because they describe the city's next steps for multiple properties cited for demolition or dangerous conditions and clarify how permits and owner compliance affect enforcement timelines.

Harris introduced himself as the city's new building official and said he started about five weeks earlier; he described prior experience at Dow Chemical and in Houston. He gave specific property updates: 122 West Tenth Street and 122 West Seventh are demolished down to slabs and staff have engaged owners and contractors to seek owner compliance before the city would remove slabs; 24 North Avenue was owner-demolished after an earlier Board order; 1719 West Ninth has active but expired permits and staff will update the board at the next meeting; 922 West Twelfth had a permit pulled on April 29 and permits generally are valid for 180 days.

Harris told the board that, under the city's enforcement approach and within Texas law, staff will work with owners who show a plan and progress but will bring properties back to the board when orders expire or progress is not maintained. He said, \"permits are only good for 6 months. They're good for 180 days,\" and further noted, \"any property that's open and vacant for more than 7 consecutive days is deemed a dangerous building,\" language he referenced while explaining why staff will bring more open-and-vacant cases to the board.

Harris said he and staff would ensure proper legal notice before any demolition, noting the city must verify paperwork and avoid undoing work if an owner sells a property to a third party during the enforcement window. He said he plans to bring these matters to the board monthly and to coordinate with Patty and other staff to make contact with owners and contractors.

No formal orders, new demolitions, or votes on code enforcement were taken at this meeting; the report was informational. Harris agreed to return with updates on specific parcels at the board's next meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Adjustment 9-25-25","oneSentenceSummary","Reggie Harris, the city's newly hired building official, introduced himself to the Board of Adjustment and gave a status report on multiple code-enforcement properties, permit expirations and the city's process for owner compliance and demolition.","taxTitle","Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas","taxId",69416,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5973518,"Bridge Harbor owner reports progress on marina repairs, removal of derelict boats",441,219000,660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5855196-d70fc1ff188c4644de0805acfbddc216&start=219&end=660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5855196-d70fc1ff188c4644de0805acfbddc216/thumbnail_219000.jpg","/articles/5973518/Freeport/Brazoria-County/Texas/Bridge-Harbor-owner-reports-progress-on-marina-repairs-removal-of-derelict-boats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5973518-e2d4ef8d6ab60d8502af187f186579b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775411582&Signature=nRCJGj2rackPxhH5DUkBOVQnpHaiR-XdUhRLK93xa8vHAizBocFRkj8r-ezY1~afDz-guCRf1JR7b9z2uoaoH~AXu2WbEuOuU9sczzCKKRZ5302ZQOuatlTs3~XLP8OusKpn1DTXd9P7gYtlVnE7-0w4F7KwIwCpUGR9TFhesn5RSE1M7ia9cm0ALcwOrMbUKbT6WdbKX4x4QTxQPhik0gCCEcqnfqfogCke3NTDS1uIodVawTJZ7GpTqJQwSoB2-DyJ7gG0CfLIHzkpAJYelFVr6Im3jpmeg~aWdmyadhKNTlEMSJJIqpzqorMk77c-hhzbhibqTPF9QXc7HM8JdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bridge Harbor property representatives told the Board of Adjustment on Wednesday that contractors have begun removing damaged bulkheads and most docks as part of a staged marina renovation and that derelict boats will be removed and disposed of in accordance with environmental guidelines.

The update matters because the marina occupies waterfront property within the city and board members had raised concerns about sunken and derelict vessels, floating debris and potential pollution.

JT, the general manager for the property owners, told the board the project is proceeding in stages and that crews are “down to our last 2 docks, which will be H H Dock and F Dock.” He said crews will remove concrete near the bulkhead and bring boats “out onto the hard” to disassemble them and dispose of components safely.

“The whole idea is just to redo the whole marina,” JT said, adding that the building itself will be addressed at a later phase. He said two contracts are in place for removing powerboats and one sunken boat, and that he has not yet released all contracts until earlier phases are finished.

Board members and JT discussed floating debris and oil containment. JT said the site uses berms and barricades and that a contractor comes “with a boat” to deploy boom as needed. He said the team is “trying to stay on top of it” and to follow EPA guidelines when dismantling vessels.

Several board members and the chair inspected visible progress, and JT encouraged board members to visit the site, saying marked company trucks and an on-site general contractor have been present for weeks. No vote or enforcement action took place during the update; the item was presented as an informational report and the owner representative said he would attend future meetings if requested.

BOARD CONTEXT: The chair opened the hearing and recognized the update as part of the public hearing agenda. The board had earlier approved meeting minutes and later adjourned; no formal orders about Bridge Harbor were made at this meeting.

What’s next: JT said remaining work depends on contractor availability and that the owner will stage further contracts. The board and city staff said they will monitor progress and may request updates at future meetings.

","The property manager and city officials told the Board of Adjustment that contractors are removing damaged bulkhead and docks at Bridge Harbor, with plans to remove derelict boats and follow EPA guidance; no formal board action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

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New building official briefs board on demolitions, permits and open-vacant property rules

Bridge Harbor owner reports progress on marina repairs, removal of derelict boats