Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dangerous Buildings Demolition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council orders demolition for two fire‑damaged buildings, postpones decision on a third
Summary
After public hearings, the Bangor City Council authorized demolition for the fire‑damaged structure at 67 Lincoln Street and for 354 Ohio Street, setting deadlines for owner action; the council postponed a decision on 271 Elm Street to allow the owner to submit an additional engineering report.
The Bangor City Council held public hearings April 14 on three fire‑damaged structures and took different actions: it approved an order declaring 67 Lincoln Street dangerous and authorizing demolition with a deadline for the owner, it approved demolition for 354 Ohio Street, and it postponed a decision on 271 Elm Street to allow submission of a second engineer’s assessment.
For 67 Lincoln Street, city staff described two placards issued after building deficiencies and a significant fire on Dec. 3, 2024 that left the structure "not structurally sound nor protected from the elements." Owner James Butler told the council he had applied for a demolition permit and asked the council for time to complete the permit process and to await the state fire marshal’s report. Butler said he had obtained a demolition permit on March 10 and asked for additional time to salvage materials and to coordinate required utility and agency clearances. Councilors discussed possible dates and ultimately approved the order while setting a deadline by which the owner must act; the council’s decision was memorialized in a written order to be prepared after the vote.
On 271 Elm Street, city staff said an engineer’s structural assessment received March 31 concluded the structure had failed and recommended demolition. The building owner, Alaa Jabbar, said he purchased the property after the fire and disputed the engineer’s findings, told council he wanted to salvage and rehabilitate portions of the building, and said language and communication issues had complicated his interactions with the engineer and city staff. Councilors concluded they had not received a second engineering report the owner said was forthcoming and voted to postpone the decision until the council’s May 12 meeting to allow the owner and staff to provide any additional documentation.
At 354 Ohio Street, code enforcement reported two fires in 2024, extensive structural failure including a collapsed roof section and hoarding conditions that impeded firefighting. The owner, Michelle Lynn, said she lacked insurance and had lost belongings in the fires and had tried to secure funds to stabilize or remove damaged parts. After public comment and staff testimony recommending demolition, the council voted to approve the order to declare the structure dangerous and authorize demolition.
In all three matters staff cited standards for declaring a building dangerous: structural unsoundness, unsuitability for occupancy, hazard to public health or safety and exposure to the elements. Councilors said they preferred property owners remove unsafe structures themselves but must act if owners do not complete demolition within the council’s specified timelines. The city will place liens for demolition costs where allowed by statute and city policy.
The decisions will be followed by written council orders that set any specific deadlines and conditions for owner action and for municipal remediation if owners do not comply.
