The San Antonio Building Standards Board voted unanimously Oct. 9 to order demolition of the vacant house at 730 Gabriel in City Council District 2 after Development Services staff said the structure was unsafe and not repairable.

Cynthia Santana, dangerous premises officer for the City of San Antonio Development Services Department, told the board the single‑story, 1,576‑square‑foot house — built in 1949 and located within 1,000 feet of the Young Men’s Leadership School — has missing roof decking, rotted rafters, detached siding and a listing foundation. Santana said the structure has had no water or electrical service in years and that interior floors and ceilings have collapsed in places, creating hazards for first responders. Staff recommended demolition under City Code, Article 8, Chapter 6 (dangerous building provisions).

The case drew a brief owner appearance. Brenda King, who identified herself as a resident of District 2 and said she grew up in the house, told the board she has been seeking financing and had health setbacks after a COVID hospitalization. King said she had been comparing demolition costs and was considering whether to pay for a private demolition and rebuild. “This is the house I grew up in,” she said, describing family ties to the property.

Board member George Grama Jr. moved to declare the property a public nuisance under City Code Article 8, Chapter 6 and to order demolition within 30 days; the motion also required the site to be secured and cleared of trash and debris. The motion carried unanimously. Chair Dwight Nelson told King the board’s action gives her approximately 45 days to present a plan to avoid city demolition enforcement.

Staff said the city performed an abatement on Oct. 2 to clear overgrown vegetation and that the documented abatement cost was $1,108. The file includes interior and exterior photos taken Sept. 8 and Oct. 2 showing missing siding, collapsed ceiling boards and rotted joists.

Discussion vs. decision: staff presented a finding of dangerous conditions and recommended demolition; the owner spoke in favor of trying to rebuild but did not present a concrete scope of work, financial proof or engineering report. The board issued a formal demolition order that carried unanimously.

This action is enforceable under the building‑code provisions cited by staff; the board did not adopt any alternative repair schedule or financial condition in lieu of demolition.