Evansville building commission affirms multiple raise orders, schedules inspections and sets deadlines after April 24 hearings

Evansville, Ind. — The Evansville City Building Commission on April 24, 2025, heard more than two dozen property cases alleging unsafe or blighted conditions and issued a mix of affirmed raise orders, modified repair orders, inspection appointments and continuances.

The hearing officer, Ryan Schultz, opened the session and ran a series of evidentiary hearings on properties across Evansville. Several owners and prospective purchasers appeared and in some cases reached agreements with inspectors that changed the commission’s requested remedy.

Why it matters: The commission enforces the city’s unsafe-building ordinances and can require structures to be repaired, vacated, raised (demolished) or otherwise abated; decisions affect property owners, neighbors and nearby tenants and can trigger demolition bids, referral to housing court or civil penalties.

Votes at a glance - CE#25CE16 — 1604 Ewing Ave (owner: Raycio Rodriguez). Outcome: Agreed modification — the raise order was modified to a repair order by agreement. A signed Notice of Violation and a plan/time frame were admitted; the parties agreed the work will be completed in 90 days (agreed order entered). Evidence: inspector’s NOV and the signed plan submitted as exhibits. - CE#25CE15 — 619 E Chandler Ave (owner: estate of Shirley A. Payne). Outcome: Affirmed raise order but commission agreed to delay bidding/implementation to June to allow the heirs time to pursue land-bank adoption or other remedies. - CE#25CE41 — 4405 Ficketts Rd (owner: Linda Bell). Outcome: Matter taken under advisement; on-site interior and exterior inspection ordered for Tuesday, April 29 at 1:00 p.m.; matter is set to return May 22 for further action. - CE#25CE42 — 208 E Florida St (owners: Maria Viscara and Paulina Ortiz). Outcome: Raise and vacate orders affirmed; building commission instructed staff to put the matter out for bid for abatement (inspector evidence and photographs admitted). - CE#25CE54 — 219 Harper Ave (owner: Dane…