Nicholas Bradshaw, the public officer designated by the mayor under City Code of Ordinances Article 6 (Unfit Buildings), ordered immediate corrective action for two properties and affirmed boarding charges for four others during a public officer hearing on Feb. 28, 2025.

The orders affect 411 Glen Oaks Drive, for which Bradshaw ordered immediate repair or demolition, and 1136 Massachusetts Avenue, for which the owner was given 90 days to repair or face demolition. The hearing also approved charges for boarding and securing four vacant structures: 1713 Fair Drive, 2014 Highland Drive, 5301 North Ozark Road and 2303 Parkview Avenue.

The public officer's role is authorized in the city code to hold hearings, receive evidence, administer oaths and issue orders when structures are found dangerous or unfit. The city presented inspection reports and incident histories before Bradshaw issued each order.

411 Glen Oaks Drive

Tracy Berry, neighborhood codes enforcement officer for the City of Knoxville, told the hearing that the house at 411 Glen Oaks Drive was inspected on June 2, 2021, and found to have electrical and structural violations, broken windows and doors, damaged soffits and siding, and visible signs of vacancy. She said all utilities had been removed and that the property had been boarded twice in 2025 because the boards were repeatedly pried off. Berry said the address had generated 25 calls for service to Knoxville Police Department since February 2024, including 15 calls in the last six weeks.

A neighborhood representative, Lynn Siglin, submitted a written statement asking that the city demolish the property, saying residents were "very concerned about 411 Glen Oaks and the negative effect it is having on our residents on that street and in our neighborhood." Siglin's letter was read into the record as testimony.

After hearing the city's evidence, Bradshaw said, "I order the owner to repair or demolish the structure at 411 Glen Oaks Drive including the accessory structure immediately." He warned that if the owner failed to take corrective action the city could placard the structure as unfit, vacate and close it, and carry out demolition with the costs assessed as a lien under city code.

1136 Massachusetts Avenue

City staff presented evidence that the house at 1136 Massachusetts Avenue was originally inspected in July 2021 and showed deterioration on all facades, a damaged and sagging porch roof, multiple damaged or unsecured windows and doors, and removed utilities. Staff said no repair permits had been applied for and that the city had boarded the structure.

Following the presentation, Bradshaw found the structure out of compliance and ordered the owner to "repair or demolish the structure at 1136 Massachusetts Avenue within 90 days." He repeated the same enforcement consequences: placarding as unfit, vacating and closing the structure, and city-initiated corrective action with costs placed as a lien if the owner fails to act.

Boarding charges approved

The public officer approved and affirmed boarding and corrective-action charges for four additional properties that are boarded and considered "attractive nuisances" and dangerous to the community because they were open or accessible to children and the public. Those properties and their boarding dates as read into the record were:

- 1713 Fair Drive: boarded 08/23/2024. Public officer approved boarding charges.
- 2014 Highland Drive: boarded 10/07/2024. Public officer approved boarding charges.
- 5301 North Ozark Road: boarded 07/19/2024. Public officer approved boarding charges.
- 2303 Parkview Avenue: boarded 10/10/2024. Public officer approved boarding charges.

Process and next steps

Bradshaw read a legal notice into the record that owners who begin rehabilitation must apply for required permits and complete final inspections within the time allowed by any order or extension; otherwise the city may proceed with demolition without further notice. The hearing record shows the public officer has authority to issue such orders under the city code and to place liens for corrective-action costs.

The public officer adjourned the hearing at 9:43 a.m.