El Paso panel orders demolition for three fire‑damaged houses, grants 90 days to rehabilitate a fourth

The City of El Paso Building and Standards Commission on Oct. 16, 2025 approved orders to demolish three houses found to be structurally unsafe and granted a 90‑day rehabilitation window for a fourth property, city code enforcement staff said.

The actions followed public hearings in which city inspectors described substantial fire damage, collapsed roofs or walls, repeated code‑enforcement cases and open access that posed risks to public safety. For three properties—3100 Richmond Avenue, 9573 Albany Place and 1306 Magoffin Avenue—inspectors recommended demolition within 30 days. For 5733 Hemingway Drive, commissioners extended the timetable to 90 days to allow a prospective buyer to pursue rehabilitation; the commission said demolition would be ordered if no substantive action occurred in that period.

At the start of the hearing, Steve Alvarado, code enforcement director, introduced the cases and called city inspectors to present findings. Eddie Cifuentes, with the code enforcement zoning division, said the single‑family house at 3100 Richmond Avenue (owner: Smith Revocable Trust) was built about 1921, showed extensive fire damage and a collapsed roof, and was open to unwanted entry. The presentation included photos of charred ceilings, collapsed roof sections and interior debris. Cifuentes said certified notices were mailed and that there had been no communication with owners. The department’s recommendation was that the main structure and accessory garage be demolished within 30 days and secured immediately; the commission approved that recommendation.

Inspector Morales (code enforcement department) presented the case for 9573 Albany Place, owned by Aneta Marie Breedlove. Morales said the house—built about 1960—had severe fire damage, an open, deteriorated roof and burned utility meters; he reported multiple prior code and police calls. The inspector said certified notices had been mailed and that no contact had been made with the owner. The commission approved the department’s recommendation to secure and demolish the structure within 30 days.

Vidon Jorge Vironontes, a property inspector with the code enforcement zoning division, presented 1306 Magoffin Avenue, owned by Norimar Corp. Vironontes said the property, which lies in a historic overlay (A3H), had a partially collapsed rear addition that the city’s chief building inspector, Adrian Garcia, had classified as an “imminent danger” under the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code. Vironontes said three transients were living on the property at the time of inspection and that the property had significant interior and foundation damage. Omar Maines, an attorney representing Norimar Corp, told the commission, “We do concur with the city that this property needs to be demolished,” and described failed rehabilitation attempts and stolen wiring and plumbing. City staff and Maines discussed the historic overlay process; commissioners and staff advised Maines to contact the historic preservation officer, Providen San Velasquez, before any demolition or work. The commission approved the department’s recommendation to demolish the addition/structure within 30 days and to secure the site immediately.

The case at 5733 Hemingway Drive produced the most extended discussion. Inspector Morales reported structural roof dilapidation, prior police calls and the presence of squatters; he said certified notices had been mailed and that tax records had been corrected during the presentation. Frank Ramirez, who identified himself as a prospective buyer, told the commission, “I’m in the process of buying this property,” and said he was working with the title company and law enforcement to clear the site and secure it. Ramirez asked that the commission not revoke the opportunity to rehabilitate, arguing he was pursuing title and planned repairs. Nathan Walsh, chief building inspector, noted there was currently no valid certificate of occupancy and clarified inspection/permit requirements.

After discussion, commissioners voted to modify the usual 30‑day demolition schedule for 5733 Hemingway Drive and grant 90 days for rehabilitation work to be initiated; the commission stipulated that if no action were taken within 90 days the structure would be ordered demolished within 30 days. Staff were directed to provide contact information for the historic preservation officer and to coordinate securement of the property in the interim. Ramirez said he and contractors were working to secure the site and would pursue permits after title transfer.

Finally, the commission approved minutes from the July 24, 2025 meeting and adjourned at 1:35 p.m.

The orders are administrative actions of the Building and Standards Commission; any demolition or rehabilitation work remains subject to required permits and, where applicable, review by the city’s historic preservation office.