Guthrie council declares 10 properties dilapidated after public hearing; owners given time to repair

The Guthrie City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2925-02 on March 18 declaring 10 properties in the city to be dilapidated or dangerous, following a public hearing during which several property owners described plans or obstacles to repairing their homes.

The resolution gives the city legal authority to proceed with abatement if owners fail to act, but council members and staff repeatedly told owners at the hearing that cooperation and steady progress would be met with flexibility. City staff said owners typically have 30 to 45 days to meet with the city and that obtaining a building permit opens an initial six-month window to complete work, with extensions possible for demonstrated progress.

Noah (city staff) opened the presentation and reviewed each property on the list, saying the city had contacted a majority of owners and that some had already communicated plans to repair or demolish structures. He walked the council through 10 addresses, noting varying histories of utility disconnection and code-enforcement cases.

Several owners spoke at the hearing. Cynthia Hedge, a daughter of the late James Cherry, told the council the family was “in the process of getting everyone together to make a decision” about 123 West Springer and asked for “additional time, maybe a month or so” to determine next steps. Property owner Duncan Tyson said he had hired a plumber and contractors and that he was lining up permits and inspections.

Property owner Victoria Rodriguez reported work had resumed on her house at 724 East Springer, saying the electricity had been restored and that she was “working with the contractor to get the roof repaired” and obtaining bids to restore plumbing. Jonathan Friend, who said he recently regained control of 1723 West Logan because of his mother’s medical condition, said he had three contractor bids and hoped to “get the foundation work done” within 30 days.

City staff emphasized that the annual listing is not necessarily the last step and that naming a property as dilapidated “shows the seriousness of the city” but is intended to encourage remediation. Staff said the city prefers to see owners make steady progress rather than immediately pursue demolition; the listing preserves the city’s legal fallback to abate and place liens if owners do not follow through.

Following the public comment, the council moved, seconded and voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2925-02, placing all 10 properties on the city’s dilapidated-structure list.

The council and staff asked owners to maintain regular communication with the city’s code-enforcement office and to submit scope-of-work plans or bids from contractors, after which the city will evaluate timelines and permit needs.

The council’s action closes the public hearing but does not, by itself, order demolition; rather it formalizes the list and the city’s authority to act if owners fail to make acceptable progress.