Central council approves condemnation and demolition plan for 12287 Lovett Road

Central — The Central City Council voted to condemn a building at 12287 Lovett Road and authorized city staff to move toward demolition after the city located an heir who said he was unwilling or unable to take ownership. The action matters because the condemnation clears the way for the city to secure the property, remove the structure and address public-safety and blight concerns if no legal claim prevents the work. City Attorney Kyle Celestine told the council that Thomas Gagliano had been located as an heir and had earlier asked for a 90‑day extension but later informed the city he would not proceed with transferring the property or remediating the site. Celestine said he would “reduce y’all’s findings of facts into writing” and have the curator appointed by the mayor, Mr. Whitlow, serve those findings and notify other heirs before the city proceeds with demolition after the applicable delays. During the meeting a council member moved for condemnation and Council Member Laverne seconded the motion. The council then conducted a roll call vote. Freilich, Laverne, Lazaro, McKinney, Roy and Wells recorded “yes.” The city recorded the motion as approved and the city attorney said the next steps are written findings, service on heirs and statutory waiting periods before demolition. The council’s action follows earlier proceedings: the item was listed as a condemnation proceeding (council action dated 05/27/2025), deferred at the council meeting on 06/24/2025, and again to the July meeting while the city attempted to locate heirs. At the June hearing the council deferred to allow potential heirs to confirm legal interest; Celestine confirmed at this meeting that the property remains in the same condition described in earlier filings. City staff will serve the written findings of fact and proceed “after the applicable delays,” Celestine said; the council did not set a demolition date at the meeting. The transcript indicates the council intends to carry out the condemnation and demolition consistent with the findings-of-fact process and statutory notice requirements. No member of the public offered comment at the time of the vote, and no further administrative approvals were recorded at the meeting.