Romulus council reviews demolition list for 12 properties; several owners ask for 90-day delays

The City of Romulus City Council on Tuesday held a special public hearing to consider objections to Demolition List 24-01, a staff list of 12 properties the city says have been under long-term code enforcement and may require demolition or remediation.

Building director Jeff Kemp described the condition and enforcement history for each property and answered questions from council members. Kemp told the council the list includes a range of cases: recent fire-damaged homes, long-vacant structures and commercially used parcels that have lost nonconforming status. "This year we have 12 properties on our demo list," Kemp said, and he walked council through individual cases and next steps.

Why it matters: the properties are located in residential neighborhoods and have generated repeated complaints from neighbors and multiple years of code enforcement activity. Council members said they want staff to pursue rehabilitation where feasible but to move forward with demolition when structures are unsafe or owners do not act.

Key details and requests

- 34139 Beverly Road: Kemp said the house suffered a November 2023 fire and has been vacant since. The city is holding an insurance withholding of $15,009. Kemp said the owner, identified in file notes as Mr. Beemham, told staff he intends to demolish the house and was given 90 days to secure permits; staff will continue monitoring the permitting process.

- 35930 Beverly: Vacant for about 10 years and under enforcement since 2016. The owner told the Construction Board of Appeals they plan to rehabilitate and were given 90 days to obtain permits or secure a demolition permit.

- 35…