Abilene Board orders demolitions and repair timelines in multiple condemnation cases

The Abilene Board of Building Standards on Aug. 6 declared multiple properties public nuisances and ordered owners either to demolish structures or to submit plans and meet staged repair deadlines.

City property maintenance inspector Ricky Wright presented eight cases to the board, and members voted on staff recommendations to declare the properties hazardous to public health, safety and welfare. In most cases the board ordered owners to demolish the structures or appeal to district court within 30 days; in several others the board gave owners 30 days to file a plan of action and 60 days to obtain rough-in inspections if milestones were met.

The actions reflect recurring conditions staff documented, including incomplete demolitions, missing roofs, structural hazards, hazardous electrical and plumbing conditions, and accumulated debris. "This is the foundation. The owner had done the demo themselves but this has been left behind and never finished up," Wright said when describing 2074 Kansas Street, case number 23-000562, where foundations, debris and a dilapidated fence remain.

Cases ordered for demolition or appeal within 30 days included 2074 Kansas Street (case 23-000562; owner listed as Juan Serta), 11026 Westlake Road (case 25-000871; owner listed as Cecil Wright), 1358 Cypress Street (case 25-001202; owner listed as KX Wealth Fund 1 LLC), and 2209 Fannin Street (case 25-002734; owner listed as Nanny Wilson, deceased). For each of those items the board voted to declare the property a public nuisance and to direct the owner to demolish the structure or file an appeal…