Council told condemned, repeatedly burned building will require open‑air abatement

Councilor Flores asked city staff Monday about a burned, blighted building behind a restaurant located near the Northern Avenue intersection, and staff said the property has been condemned and will require an extensive open‑air abatement before it can be demolished.

The building — described in the meeting as the burned structure behind the restaurant commonly referred to by residents near Northern and the Route corridor — was the subject of a recorded notice and order after the owner did not respond to a condemnation notice, city staff said. "The condemnation itself has been done," staff said, and when the owner failed to respond the matter was referred to the city.

Staff told councilors there was no insurance on the building and that the owner of the property in this case was deceased; a city representative said the family name involved is Martinez. Because the structure has burned repeatedly, staff said abatement will be more extensive than with a standard demolition and that an "open air abatement" will be required with environmental services monitoring. The city began environmental and historical analyses after receiving the referral in November, staff said.

Councilor Flores and other councilors asked about possible reuse, parking concerns and the timing of work. Staff said the condemnation and referral process has begun but did not provide a firm timeline for abatement work or demolition. The councilor representing the district said the family involved owns other properties in the area and that redevelopment options — including potential parking solutions — have been discussed, but no plans were finalized.

The city provided no cost estimate at the meeting and staff said the scope of abatement depends on the environmental and historical reviews and the size of the structure. Work will proceed under the city's demolition and abatement projects once the analyses and required permitting and monitoring are complete.