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Council lists six dilapidated properties for action and outlines demolition process, funding and attorney appointment
Summary
Council members reviewed six properties flagged as dilapidated or unsafe and discussed demolition funding, ARPA money available, and the legal process for notifying absentee owners; staff said some properties require legal work because owners are absentee or title is unclear and recommended appointing an attorney to represent absentee interests.
City staff presented six properties the council identified as dilapidated or dangerous and discussed next steps in the demolition and enforcement process, including available funding and the legal notifications required for absentee or deceased owners.
The properties noted in the presentation were 700 San Jacinto Circle, 722 Hopkins Street, 840 Weeks Street (corner), 519 Silver Street, 614 Lombard Street, and 812 McNair Street. Staff told council the properties ranged from broken windows and partial boarding to missing roofs and recurrent vagrant activity; some sites have multiple tax sales listed and mixed ownerships that complicate legal clearance.
Funding and process details: Staff said the city previously secured state demolition funds (described in the meeting as "half $1,000,000 worth of demo money" in the transcript) and additionally has $450,000 in ARPA funds earmarked for demolition work. The city pays an attorney to represent absentee or unknown owners in demolition proceedings; staff said the going rate is $175 per hour plus advertising expenses. The legal process requires notification by newspaper layout and service to last-known addresses; staff explained that the city must appoint an attorney to protect those absentee owners' statutory rights before demolition proceeds.
Council comment and next steps: Council members asked staff to continue legal homework to identify owners and heirs, to issue notice to family members and absentee owners, and to set hearings for the batch of properties. Staff said they will also solicit demolition price estimates and accelerate priority cases (including burned or imminently dangerous structures) and encouraged property owners or families to contact the city because voluntary owner-arranged demolitions are typically less costly.
