Kokomo board approves emergency demolition of 1009 N. Buckeye, authorizes tow and $8,750 bid

The Kokomo Board of Public Works and Safety on April 9 approved an emergency demolition order for the vacant house at 1009 North Buckeye Street, authorized towing a camper from the property and accepted a contractor bid of $8,750.

The action followed a presentation by Chelsea, a Building and Code Services staff member, who said her office began the demolition process March 18 after finding the structure unsecured, with squatters inside and camping in the yard. She told the board the police had been called to the address three times in the previous two months for disturbances and property damage, and that there were no utilities at the residence.

Chelsea said staff attempted to contact the property's owner by certified mail but the letter was returned. She said a notice was posted on the door March 12 and the matter was published in the local newspaper on March 14 and March 28. The board approved staff's request to have the camper towed and to accept the low bid for demolition.

The board authorized Martin Recker to tow the camper for $500 and accepted Jeremy Schultz Farms LLC's bid of $8,750 to demolish the residence. A board member moved to approve the emergency order, the tow and the demolition bid; a second was recorded and the board voted in favor. The action was recorded as an approved emergency demolition and authorization for removal of the camper.

The record shows staff took multiple notification steps (posted door notice, certified letter, newspaper publication) and that utilities were not active at the property; the owner could not be contacted by the certified mail attempt and the letter was returned to staff.