Summary
After repeated inspections and limited progress, the Lorraine Demolition Board voted Aug. 21 to order demolition of the property at 504 West 20th Street, citing persistent debris, tires remaining on site and lack of sustained cleanup.
The Lorraine Demolition Board of Appeals voted Aug. 21 to order demolition of the property at 504 West 20th Street after staff reported minimal progress and persistent code violations.
Building inspectors and staff described repeated contact with owner Xavier Mendez and said earlier promises of cleanup had not produced sustained results. Dave Fasiano, chief building official, told the board that inspectors had found scores of tires on the property over the past months and that the owner had only recently pulled a demolition permit for the rear addition. Fasiano said inspectors gave the owner options and guidance on proper tire disposal more than once.
Board members said they had grown frustrated after months of incremental or unverified progress. One board member told Mendez that the meeting could be his last opportunity and urged him to show significant progress within 30 days. The board then moved, seconded and voted to remove the property from the continued list and to order its demolition.
Why it matters: staff said the rear addition is unsafe and scheduled for demolition; lingering debris and a lack of sustained remediation raised public‑nuisance concerns for the block.
Outcome and implementation: the board approved demolition by voice vote. Staff advised the owner on disposal options and directed building department staff to proceed with enforcement steps consistent with city procedure. The board did not record a roll‑call vote on the transcript; the action was recorded as carried.
Ending: The owner was given no further continuances by the board at this meeting; staff said they will follow city enforcement procedures to implement the demolition order.
