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La Porte orders demolition of unsafe home at 201 Edgewood, gives owner 60 days for 711 West Adams
Summary
Council authorized city demolition of a condemned single-family building at 201 Edgewood and granted the owner of 711 West Adams a 60-day extension to demolish that structure after the owner said she will proceed with demolition.
The La Porte City Council voted Tuesday to authorize condemnation and city removal if necessary of a dangerous, substandard building at 201 Edgewood Street and later granted 60 days for demolition of a second structure at 711 West Adams Street after the owner said she intends to demolish it herself.
City staff told the council that certified letters notifying property owners were mailed on Jan. 24, 2025, and properties were posted Jan. 27, 2025. At a previous council meeting staff had given owners additional time to resolve the deficiencies; staff said the property at 201 Edgewood had an active water account and no outstanding taxes, but the building’s roof had collapsed and the interior was exposed.
At the meeting staff reported that a prospective owner, Walter Johnson, had told staff he intended to demolish the Edgewood structure within two weeks; nevertheless the council voted to adopt an ordinance ordering the owner to remove the building and granting the city authority to remove it if the owner does not comply. The ordinance as read in the meeting (Ordinance 2024-4008) requires the owner to commence removal within 10 days of the ordinance’s effective date and to complete demolition within 45 days; council then authorized staff to proceed to demolition if the owner fails to comply.
On 711 West Adams, staff showed recent photos and told the council that some repairs had been made (balcony and stairs removed), but structural and roof concerns remained and no permits or inspections accompanied the work. The property owner, Candace Brooks, told the council her father had passed away and she intends to demolish the structure; she asked for 45 days to obtain demolition quotes. Councilmember Martin moved — and the council approved — an extension of 60 days to allow the owner time to proceed with demolition.
Motions: A motion to move forward with city demolition at 201 Edgewood was made by Councilmember Englekin and seconded by Councilmember McLaren; the motion carried. A motion to give the owner of 711 West Adams a 60-day extension to demolish the property was made by Councilmember Martin and seconded by Councilmember McLaren; that motion carried.
Why it matters: The council’s orders are formal, legal steps to remove structures the city deems dangerous to public safety and to ensure property maintenance. The council’s actions preserve the city’s right to remove hazardous structures if owners do not comply within the ordered timeframes.
