SSRB finds 112 East Marlin dilapidated and unfit for habitation; orders repair plan and $25,000 surety bond by April 15

The Substantive Structures Review Board declared the property at 112 East Marlin Street dilapidated, substandard and unfit for human habitation and ordered the owner to submit a detailed plan, timeline and a surety bond by April 15, 2025.

The board opened a public hearing on the property and heard from Derek Benavides, who identified himself as one of the property owners. Benavides told the board the owners had secured fencing, removed debris and were working with Falcon Bank on financing; he said an appraisal had been ordered and that he expected to provide an updated status to the board. "We are making that forward progress," Benavides said.

The city building inspector presented photographs and a technical assessment of the structure. The inspector described extensive decay of the wooden pilings, warped and sagging LVL beams, significant water damage to the roof and floors, and an uneven second floor caused by settlement. "In my opinion ... the only way to get this house repaired or bring it to safe and sound conditions will be driving new pilings," the building inspector said. The inspector also noted the first-floor elevation (6.5 feet on the submitted elevation certificate) was below the cited minimum (7.2 feet) and that proposed engineered plans showed only a noncompliant 5-inch concrete slab and did not provide a method to raise or support the existing structure.

Board members discussed the inspector's findings and the engineer's submitted plans. The board emphasized that the SSRB has authority to require a surety bond to cover demolition or repairs and to set timelines and civil penalties for noncompliance. The board instructed the owner to return with structural engineer reports, a detailed timeline and a plan to address pilings and elevations.

The motion adopted by the board found the structure dilapidated, substandard and a public nuisance; it required the owner to submit a detailed plan and timeline and to post a surety bond adequate to cover required demolition or repairs by April 15, 2025. During discussion a board member suggested a bond amount and a later comment in the record indicated the board set the surety bond at $25,000. The motion was seconded and carried.

Board members said the bond is intended to ensure the city can remove or abate the structure if the owner does not complete required work. The building inspector declined to give a demolition estimate without an engineer's proposal; one board member speculated removal could be about $25,000 but the inspector did not endorse a fixed removal cost.

The board closed the public hearing and the motion carried; the board scheduled follow-up to review the owner's engineer reports and timeline.