Centreville council hears show‑cause on dangerous building at 2647 Centerville Road

Centreville Town Council held a show‑cause hearing July 29 on whether the structure at 2647 Centerville Road is a dangerous building and should be repaired, vacated or demolished.

The hearing opened after the town clerk, Gay Adams, certified that legal notice ran in the Bay Times Record Observer on July 18 and July 25. Council President Ashley convened the hearing and called first for the property owner to present evidence.

The property owner, identified in the record as Mr. Gesheilm, told the council he had four demolition bids and said he planned to demolish most of the old mill while retaining a party wall that adjoins an adjacent concrete‑block building. “I’ve got 4 bids to have the building demolished,” Gesheilm said, adding that he expected written bids to be available by Friday and that clearing the building of personal property would take “3 weeks” if conditions allowed. He asked whether rebuilding in the same footprint would trigger current setback rules.

Hal Davis, a building inspector for a third‑party inspection agency who reviewed the structure, testified the building has deteriorated since his last visit and could fail under wind or snow load. “My main concern is time with getting this building down,” Davis said, noting the mill is filled on three floors with material and that the roof structure of the timber portion is failing. He said the concrete‑block walls behind the mill appear to be in better condition but that a full assessment would require clearing debris and closer inspection.

Frederick Bew, speaking for the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, said the organization had concluded that, despite the site’s historic associations, the building’s “horrible state of disrepair” and safety risks made demolition the best option for the community. David Kaufman said a client interested in historic rehabilitation remains willing to explore reuse of salvageable timbers but would accept demolition if necessary.

Council members noted a long history of town contact with the owner about the property. Several council members said the town has been patient for years and expressed concern that continued delay creates an imminent public‑safety risk given recent storms and visible deterioration.

Town counsel Sharon said she would prepare findings of fact and a proposed demolition order for the council’s consideration. “I think I have what I need from you all to prepare findings of fact and demolition order so that you could act on it at your meeting next week,” Sharon said; the council indicated it plans to act at its next regular meeting on Thursday, August 7. Council members also told the owner the town would accept any written bids he submits and will consider them alongside the town’s solicitation when selecting a contractor if the council issues a demolition order.

Council discussion made clear the town is considering an approach in which it would perform demolition if necessary and place a lien on the property to recover costs. Members emphasized that removing the owner’s personal property from the structure should be the owner’s immediate priority, regardless of who performs the demolition.

The hearing was then adjourned and the council moved to discuss next steps in closed deliberation. No formal demolition order was issued at the hearing; the council directed staff to draft findings and a demolition order for consideration at the August 7 meeting.