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Council authorizes condemnation process for unsafe house at 445 East Broadway Avenue
Summary
Following a staff report and structural engineer review, council began a 30‑day timer allowing the bank or owner to seek a demolition permit before the city solicits bids for removal.
Augusta City Council opened and closed a public hearing and approved a resolution authorizing condemnation proceedings for the residential structure at 445 East Broadway Avenue, starting a 30‑day period for demolition permitting or city abatement.
Code enforcement described efforts since December to notify parties of interest and to post the property. Staff reported a certified notice was delivered to Eric Grooms, identified as the mortgagee, while attempts to reach the property owner were returned undeliverable. The council heard that an associate of the owner called Dec. 18 mentioning demolition, but no demolition permit had been issued and no further communication occurred.
A structural engineer’s site visit Jan. 21 found significant structural deficiencies, including a lack of foundation and interior floor systems, the city reported. "He commented on the lack of foundation and lack of interior structure, floor system," staff said in the public hearing.
If council’s resolution is adopted, a 30‑day clock begins during which the bank or any interested party may obtain a demolition permit. Staff said the city will solicit bids during that period so, if the city proceeds with demolition after 30 days, a contract can be awarded quickly, typically to the lowest responsive bidder for a small structure.
Council approved the resolution (identified during the meeting as resolution number 2025‑03) by voice vote at the close of the public hearing. Council members also discussed recurring noncompliance by some property owners and directed staff to continue addressing those patterns outside the immediate condemnation item.
Staff emphasized that the action triggers the statutory condemnation timeline, gives the mortgage holder time to act, and allows the city to proceed with bids and abatement if the owner or mortgagee does not obtain a demolition permit within 30 days.
