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Council declares several structures dilapidated, unsecured or abandoned after public hearings
Summary
Following public hearings, the council adopted resolutions declaring listed structures dilapidated, unsecured or abandoned and authorized city staff to proceed with notice and demolition processes where owners failed to bring properties into compliance.
After public hearings that included owners and prospective buyers, the Oklahoma City Council adopted a series of resolutions declaring multiple structures on the city’s dilapidated, unsecured and abandoned lists and authorized staff to proceed under the city's code-enforcement procedures.
Rita Cartwright and other speakers addressed council about a property at 1300 South Robinson, saying the site is under contract and that they were pursuing Brownfield/Phase 1 testing and a sale. “They keep saying the building is abandoned. It's really not abandoned. I feel like it's vacant because we're trying to sell it,” Cartwright told the council.
Chad Davidson, code enforcement superintendent, told the council that the property’s abandoned designation remains in place until the owner brings the property into compliance and formally petitions to remove the status. “That abandonment will stay with that property until you bring the property into compliance,” he said.
Doris Cole, who identified herself as a prospective buyer, said she was pursuing Phase 1 Brownfield testing and requested time before demolition actions. Owner representatives and other speakers acknowledged challenges including demolition costs, permitting and utility holds that have delayed cleanup.
The council voted unanimously to adopt resolutions: declaring the listed structures dilapidated (K2), declaring listed structures unsecured (L2 — except those stricken from the agenda earlier), and declaring listed buildings abandoned (M2). Council staff said owners generally have 30 days to respond with bids or repair plans; if the owner does not bring the property into compliance, the city may solicit demolition bids and proceed.
Next steps: Code Enforcement staff will work with owners and prospective buyers to document remediation plans; where no plan or progress is presented, staff will solicit bids and proceed under city procedures.
