Aldermen press city on slow demolition and vacant‑property enforcement after years of blight

A broad council discussion and multiple public comments focused on prolonged blight and the city’s process for demolition, permitting and enforcement at vacant or partially demolished buildings. Alderwoman and aldermen raised a series of complaints about properties that have remained in poor condition for months or years, most prominently a commercial building at 1622 South MacArthur Boulevard and several adjacent parcels on South State Street (addresses cited include 1601–1623 South State). Residents and council members described demolition or demolition‑related work conducted without permits, visible debris, and long periods with no visible follow-up enforcement. City officials outlined the administrative process that governs enforcement and city-led demolition. Corporate counsel and staff explained that demolition orders and asbestos testing are prerequisites for city-managed demolition: the city’s contractor cannot bid for demolition until asbestos inspection results are returned; if asbestos is present, abatement must occur before demolition. Staff said building trade permits are generally open for six months without activity (becoming void for lack of action) but may be extended or issued for a year if active work continues. Staff also said permits for certain trade work (electrical, grading, erosion control) carry separate timelines and that citations issued for work without permits are prosecuted on a referral basis. City officials noted options to require payment plans and to place demolition liens on properties; staff said demolition costs can be recovered from owners and will be charged if the city completes demolition after an owner fails to do so. Corporate counsel explained that the city would incur demolition costs and then place charges back to the owner if deadlines are missed. Council members pressed staff on resources: inspectors’ staffing levels were discussed (staff said the department has five inspectors) and aldermen urged more proactive follow-up on unresolved complaints and clearer communications to ward aldermen and neighborhood groups. Director Fuchs said he forwards council communications to the appropriate offices and recommended using zone managers as liaisons; he provided the city dispatch number (789‑2246) as a route for urgent public‑way issues. Several aldermen requested a clearer status update on outstanding demolitions, asbestos inspections and the timeline for sending bids for contracted demolition work; staff said they expected to put a next round of demolition bids out in August and that the work should proceed before the end of the year, contingent on outstanding asbestos results. Why it matters: prolonged vacant structures and slow enforcement affect neighborhood safety, blight, property values and long‑term redevelopment prospects. Council members urged procedural changes, more proactive monitoring and better follow‑up to prevent long delays. Ending: Staff committed to follow up with council members and promised updates on asbestos testing and the demolition schedule; aldermen said they will provide specific addresses for expedited attention and pressed for clearer communications and faster resolution.