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Council discusses several troubled properties; owner of 629 North C Street outlines renovation progress
Summary
Council received updates on three problem properties—including 629 North C Street, 1317 West Stonewall and 1340 West Madison—and heard from owner Kevin Fergal about progress and delays on renovation work at 629 North C Street.
Council considered an informational item on three properties reported as problematic: 629 North C Street, a house at the northeast corner of West Street and Stonewall Avenue (1317 West Stonewall) and a house on West Madison between Hickory and C Street (1340 West Madison).
Jamie from Community Development reviewed each property's history. For 1340 West Madison staff said both owners had died and the lot is overgrown; taxes are currently paid by another person but there is no active probate. Staff estimated demolition costs for a full cleanup could range from $4,000 to $6,000 given heavy vegetation and that the structure previously appeared structurally sound at inspection.
The property at 1317 West Stonewall is scheduled for a June tax sale and staff said cleanup and demolition estimates would likely total around $8,700 if the city had to abate the lot; the property owner reportedly is deceased and an heir may allow the county or a private buyer to resolve it through a tax sale.
Kevin Fergal, who identified himself as owner of 629 North C Street and a nearby resident, told council his family has invested about $500,000 in the block and is actively renovating the 2,905-square-foot historic house at 629 North C. He said the project has been delayed by family deaths and health issues but that the house is secured, has interior electricity and alarm systems, has new windows installed on half the first floor (with the remainder ordered), and that he expects to finish late summer. Fergal said he hired full-time maintenance help and has invested nearly $100,000 so far in the renovation.
Community Development staff said a building permit application was under review for 629 North C and that staff would continue inspections and work with the owner; councilors urged staff to continue regular follow-up and documentation.
No formal enforcement action was taken at the meeting; councilors asked staff to continue monitoring and, where appropriate, pursue tax-sale or abatement remedies for properties that do not progress toward secure reuse or sale.
