Board assesses $2,800 in civil penalties for Armstrong Electrical Supply site; owner says repairs underway

The Abilene Board of Building Standards on March 5 voted to assess $2,800 in civil penalties against the owner of 2970 South Sixth Street for failing to comply with a May 1, 2024 board order.

Staff reported the property — the former Armstrong Electrical Supply building — has been vacant and inactive since 2006 and showed extensive interior and exterior damage, a prior structure fire and water intrusion. City inspectors said the owner previously paid some penalties but remained out of compliance for a later period; staff recommended $50 per day for 56 days (Jan. 8–March 4, 2025), totaling $2,800.

Owner Brooks Armstrong addressed the board and described remediation steps, including pumping water from the basement, hiring an engineer to evaluate structural integrity and planned fencing and site cleanup. Armstrong estimated about 120 days to complete key roofing and cleanup work and said he expected to convert the building to storage and later residential uses.

Dugger moved to accept the staff recommendation; McBrayer seconded. The board voted unanimously to assess the penalties, with staff noting Armstrong had been cooperating with inspections and engineering analysis.

The board said civil penalties are intended to keep owners on schedule and that Armstrong may still pursue a new or renewed 30/60 order if the board chooses to do so later.