The City of Lorraine Demolition Board of Appeals voted Thursday to authorize barricading two connected, vacant properties at 1919 and 1859 Reed Avenue to prevent further unauthorized entry and reduce public-safety risks. The board took the action after building department staff described broken windows, interior vandalism, trash, and signs of vagrancy.

City building-department staff presented photos showing broken windows and interior degradation and said the department is requesting a secondary order to barricade the properties. The presentation noted the properties are vacant, listed to owner Hoa Tron, and carry significant unpaid taxes ($271,449.67 and $220,801.38, respectively). The board voted unanimously to authorize the barricade.

Why it matters: neighbors and council members said the properties have been a recurring public-safety and nuisance concern, with specific worries about children and other residents entering the structures. Council members and public commenters pressed the board to act quickly while the city continues parallel remediation planning with county and state partners.

Dave Fasiano, Lorraine chief building official, told the board the city is “working actively, to remediate and mitigate the existing conditions” and that discussions with local, county and state officials are ongoing; he asked the board to authorize barricading the buildings to secure them while those efforts continue. Council members urged speedy action. Councilwoman Springhouse said the situation “has gone on far too long.” Public commenter Councilwoman Victoria Kenton asked for the most “expedient” action and said residents have suffered from the conditions for years.

Board members unanimously approved a motion authorizing erection of a barricade on the two properties; the building and planning department indicated it would fund barricading through its accounts. Fasiano and the presenting staff said the city hopes to provide a further update to city council and the public within weeks as part of the larger remediation effort involving the adjacent Saint Joe’s property at 20 First and Broadway.

The board’s action is limited to securing the buildings; the presentation and subsequent discussion made clear that separate legal, tax and remediation steps are continuing and that further notifications or actions could follow depending on progress with county and state partners.

The board did not cite a specific ordinance or statute during the presentation. The city said funding for barricading will come from the building housing and planning department budget and that additional steps will be coordinated with other agencies.