Wichita Falls council orders demolition for multiple hazardous structures, spares two for repair

Wichita Falls City Council on June 17 approved a package of demolition orders aimed at removing dangerously dilapidated homes and outbuildings across the city while allowing owners limited time to pursue repairs or voluntary demolition.

Code compliance staff told council the properties listed have been repeatedly inspected, many suffered fire damage or prolonged water loss, and owners will have 30 days after the council action to begin voluntary demolition or pull a restoration permit. If owners do not act, the city will begin demolition; when the city performs demolition the owner is invoiced and a lien may be placed if unpaid.

City code compliance supervisor Alex Borrego told council the process begins with notices, inspection and a warning period. “If the owner fails to meet the deadlines, then code compliance can continue with their demolition process without bringing it back to council,” Borrego said. Borrego also said demolition funded through community development block grant (CDBG) money requires environmental review and that schedule constraints mean most city‑led demolitions would occur in October 2025, except for one downtown property where the city plans to use general funds and could seek bids in July with potential demolition in August.

The hearing drew property owners and trustees who described their plans and timelines. Owner Max (Maxey) Green, whose property at 1111 Rowland sustained fire damage in November 2024, said he has “paid for and pulled the required permits for the plumbing and for the demolition” and asked for flexibility to complete work in 60–90 days. Owner George Foster, who said he owns several local properties, told council he had begun cleanup work and had pulled a remodel and foundation permit to repair a detached wall and other damage. Chief building official Martin Wolf described some structures as immediate collapse risks: “Looking at the pictures of the structure, it’s a fire hazard. It’s hazardous. It’s leaning. I would say we’re at risk for it to collapse just based on what I’m seeing here.”

Staff described several implementation details requested by owners and council. If owners demolish a listed structure on their own before the city’s contractor work begins, the city will close the case and owners will not incur city demolition fees; if the city demolishes a structure and environmental testing (such as asbestos sampling) is required, those costs generally attach to the project when the city proceeds. Borrego explained that use of CDBG funds triggers additional historic and environmental reviews; the Barry Brown House (1400 Travis), a historically designated downtown property, would be demolished using general fund dollars if declared hazardous so the city could bypass some CDBG review steps to expedite removal.

Council approved the demolition package with amendments: striking 1305 Midwestern (already demolished) from the list and moving two properties—3800 Shasta (a former church) and 1306 Gladiola—to the restoration/repair list so owners or buyers could pull permits and pursue rehabilitation. A motion to approve the orders as amended carried.

Council and staff reiterated options for owners: (1) pull a restoration permit within 30 days and then show substantial completion within the additional 90‑day restoration window; (2) demolish privately before the city acts (no city fees would apply); or (3) do nothing and face city demolition, an invoice, and a lien with annual interest. Staff noted the city had sent initial notices in February and a separate notice of this public hearing on May 16.

The hearing covered roughly a dozen addresses across downtown and east Wichita Falls, including 2303 Princeton, 1111 Rowland, 2910 Lebanon, 3227 Seymour Road, 4119 Blanton, 1107 Burnett (downtown), 1322 North Fifth, 1415 Kemp Street (a duplex), 1226 Tulip, 1306 Gladiola, 1711 Fairfax (accessory structure), 1720 Fairfax, 1900 Bridal and the historically designated 1400 Travis (Barry Brown House). Staff and owners discussed taxes owing on some parcels and the potential need for additional environmental testing when demolitions are adjacent to each other.

Next steps: owners granted restoration permits must begin work within 30 days and show progress within the 90‑day restoration period specified by staff; properties left standing after that period will be scheduled for city demolition (most city demolitions currently forecast for October 2025, with the exception of 1400 Travis, for which staff said they would seek bids in July). Council kept the public hearing record open only as required by ordinance and directed staff to work with owners who notified the city in writing of an intent to sell the property.

Council discussion and the testimony made clear that code compliance intends to prioritize safety while allowing property owners limited time and pathways to repair or remove structures without incurring city demolition fees.