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Historic Preservation Commission sets deadlines and fines for three dilapidated downtown buildings after owner no‑shows
Summary
After the property owner failed to provide promised plans and did not appear at the May 5 meeting, the Guthrie Historic Preservation Commission set deadlines and enforcement steps for three deteriorating downtown properties, including a 60‑day repair order for the Victor and Lehi buildings and a 10‑day demand for an engineer’s report on the old fire station tower.
The Historic Preservation Commission on May 5 adopted minimum‑maintenance directives and short compliance deadlines for three downtown properties after the property owner, identified in meeting discussion as Mr. Ladd, did not appear or deliver requested documentation.
The actions target the Victor Building at 202 West Harrison, the old fire station at 111 South Second Street (including its hose/tower), and a downtown property referred to in discussion as the Lehi Building. Commissioners said the owner previously committed to providing contractor and engineer reports but had not communicated with staff since the prior meeting.
Why it matters: Commissioners said several downtown landmark buildings are in visible disrepair — including rotted window frames, crumbling bay windows and a structurally concerning hose tower — and that lack of owner responsiveness has left the city weighing code enforcement, citations and potential abatement to protect public safety and preserve historic structures.
Victor Building (202 W. Harrison): The commission directed that all maintenance work visible on the northwest corner angled bay windows, front door and metal trim facing Harrison (described in discussion as the portion most visibly rotted) must be completed within 60 days. Commissioners removed language requiring an initial inspection because the damage is plainly visible from the exterior. The motion specified replacement or repair as needed and repainting/refinishing of metal trim and the door.
Old fire station (111 S. Second Street): For the former firehouse and its hose tower — which commissioners described as historically significant and in “serious shape” — the commission required the property owner to provide a licensed structural engineer’s analysis of the tower and building within 10 days. Staff said the engineer’s report will inform any prioritization of repairs; commissioners said if the owner fails to deliver the report the city will begin citation procedures.
Lehi Building: The commission directed that all broken windows on the Lehi Building (front and rear/ alley‑facing) be replaced within 60 days on grounds of public safety and to remove hazards to pedestrians in the alley and surrounding sidewalks.
Code enforcement tools and penalties discussed: Staff explained that the city may issue citations for noncompliance and described the municipal citation as a daily fine; staff said the combined fine and court costs as discussed in the meeting amount to $2.55 per citation day (staff provided the $2.55 figure in the meeting). Commissioners discussed abatement and lien remedies for nuisance cases such as tall grass but noted that abatement remedies for major building repairs are legally and practically more complicated. Staff also noted that state law limits some vacant‑building penalties and that enforcement beyond citations may require legal review.
Commissioners emphasized consistency in enforcement across downtown buildings. Several members said they prefer to give owners reasonable time to comply but will begin daily citations if a property shows no real progress after the deadlines. Staff said historically many owners respond to notice and a cited court date; if they do not, citations and additional legal remedies may follow, including municipal warrants for unpaid fines.
Votes and next steps: The commission voted in favor of the Victor Building 60‑day maintenance directive, the 10‑day engineering request for the fire station, and the Lehi Building window replacements (60 days). Commissioners asked staff to re‑send the meeting summary and the required action list to the property owner and to begin citations if the owner does not produce the requested documentation or take demonstrable corrective action within the deadlines.
Context and concerns: Commissioners repeatedly described downtown roofs, window frames and bay windows across multiple properties as beyond simple cosmetic repairs; staff stressed that delaying structural work risks public safety and the possible loss of historic fabric. Commissioners said the minimum maintenance plan approach places obligations on owners and creates record for future enforcement or property transfer.
