Abilene board orders repairs or demolitions in six property cases

The Abilene Board of Building Standards on June 4 ordered owners of six properties to either file repair plans or face demolition, following staff presentations about fire damage, structural hazards and repeated neglect.

The board approved staff recommendations for four properties to provide a 30-day plan of action and 60 days to obtain rough-in inspections, and declared two long-vacant, heavily dilapidated properties public nuisances and ordered owners to demolish the structures or appeal to district court within 30 days.

City property maintenance inspector Ricky Wright presented staff findings on each case, citing examples of hazardous electrical wiring, structural failures, sanitation problems and vagrant activity. For 1325 Pecan Street, Wright said a November 2022 structure fire caused about $10,000 in damage and that the current owner had not completed repairs; staff recommended a 30/60 repair schedule. For 2426 South Second Street, Wright said a December 2023 fire caused about $15,000 in damage and that disrepair and vagrant activity continued despite prior notices. For several other properties staff recounted a timeline of condemnation notices, administrative search warrants used to inspect interiors and recorded condemnation affidavits at the county clerk.

Sunbu Funero, who spoke at the hearing about the 2426 South Second Street property, told the board his intent was to “fix it,” and said he had contractors lined up though financing timelines were unclear. Steve Lowry, who identified himself as a family member and heir representative speaking about the property at 5108 Taos Drive, said he had been working with multiple heirs and a title company and told the board, “I have the money to purchase the property.”

The board voted on motions that matched staff recommendations. For properties where staff concluded repair was reasonable, the board ordered owners to provide a written plan within 30 days and obtain required permits and inspections (60 days for rough-in inspections), with final inspections to occur by the expiration of permits. For properties where staff concluded repair would be unreasonable, the board declared the structures public nuisances and ordered owners to demolish or appeal to district court within 30 days, noting that the city may demolish the structures if owners do not comply.

Votes at a glance

- Case 22-003439 (1325 Pecan Street): Motion to order the owner to provide a 30-day plan of action, obtain permits and meet the 30/60 timeline — approved by roll call. Staff noted a November 2022 fire (estimated $10,000 damage) and that an earlier attempted sale had fallen through.

- Case 24-004056 (742 Chestnut Street): Board found the property a public nuisance and ordered the owner to demolish or appeal to district court within 30 days — approved by roll call. Staff reported multiple heirs and no party stepping forward to repair; a tax suit by Taylor County Appraisal District had been filed earlier.

- Case 24-004334 (2426 South Second Street): Motion to require a 30-day plan and 60 days for rough-in inspections (repair pathway) — approved by roll call. The owner/representative indicated he had a roll-off bin on site and intended to pursue repairs but anticipated the 60-day timeline might be tight.

- Cases 24-004628 and 24-005247 (3317 South First Street, same building, four units): Motion to require a 30-day plan and 60 days for rough-in inspections (repair pathway) — approved by roll call. Staff noted asbestos surveying was in progress and that the owner had indicated intent to demolish but may also pursue permits to demolish under the 30/60 schedule.

- Case 24-004844 (5108 Taos Drive): Motion to require a 30-day plan and 60 days for rough-in inspections (repair pathway) — approved by roll call. A family member representing heirs described ongoing legal work to transfer title to allow repairs.

- Case 25-000311 (0734 Carver Street): Board found the property a public nuisance and ordered the owner to demolish or appeal to district court within 30 days — approved by roll call. Staff reported recent vagrant activity and that contractors had cleaned exterior areas earlier in the year.

Board process and context

At the start of the meeting the board reiterated city policy that, unless otherwise stated, owners must secure buildings and clean lots within 10 days of notice; if owners fail to act the city may secure or demolish and bill the owner, and any appeal of a board decision must be filed in district court within 30 calendar days. City staff repeatedly described use of administrative search warrants and recorded condemnation affidavits when properties were inspected or condemned.

Board members who participated in the votes included Board member Allred, Board member White, Board member McBrayer, Board member McNeil, Board member Dugger, Board member Beard and Board member Wyatt (as identified in the meeting record). Ricky Wright, property maintenance inspector with the city of Abilene, presented the six cases and answered questions about timelines and fire-damage estimates.

Next steps and outlook

Owners ordered to submit repair plans have 30 days to provide a plan of action and cost estimates and 60 days to obtain rough-in inspections; final work must be completed by the expiration of all permits. For the two properties declared public nuisances, owners were given 30 days to demolish or appeal to district court. If owners do not comply, the city may proceed to demolish and seek to recover costs.