Nicholas Bradshaw, the public officer designated by the mayor, found 209 South Castle Street to be out of compliance with city codes and ordered the owner to repair or demolish the structure within 90 days. Bradshaw also affirmed billing for boarding actions at 209 South Castle Street, 1136 Massachusetts Avenue and 3307 Pilkey Road.

Scott Elder, neighborhood code enforcement manager for the City of Knoxville, summarized the condition of 209 South Castle Street, saying the property was inspected in September, found vacant and without utilities, and showing signs of dilapidation: broken windows, missing siding and fascia, graffiti and other conditions. Elder told the public officer taxes had not been paid since 2014 and the property carried approximately $22,000 in unpaid taxes (as stated in the hearing record); Elder also reported 11 liens for unpaid city services and two new invoices for recent cleanup and boarding work. Based on those findings, Elder requested a 90-day repair-or-demolish order.

Bradshaw said he finds the structure “out of compliance with the codes of the City of Knoxville, an attractive nuisance, and is dangerous and injurious to the health and safety of the occupants or public,” and ordered repair or demolition within 90 days. He warned that failure to take corrective action could result in placarding, vacating and city-initiated repairs or demolition with the cost placed as a lien and collected per city code.

On boarding approvals, Bradshaw approved and affirmed the boarding charges for 209 South Castle Street (boarded April 23), 1136 Massachusetts Avenue (boarded Feb. 20) and 3307 Pilkey Road (boarded in February). The affirmations were made on the record and the hearing record states the charges relate to corrective actions taken because the structures were “open and accessible to children and members of the general public.”

No owners or outside speakers were present to contest the 209 South Castle item. Bradshaw closed the hearing at 9:56 a.m. after approving the boarding actions and issuing the 90-day order for 209 South Castle Street.

These are administrative enforcement orders from the public officer and not legislative votes; the public officer emphasized that boardings and orders do not remove the city’s authority to pursue demolition or corrective work if rehabilitation is incomplete or inspections are not approved.