City council declares scores of properties dilapidated, orders abatements and gives owners deadlines

The Lawton City Council voted to declare a large number of structures across the city dilapidated and authorized steps for abatement and potential legal action, following extended staff reports and public testimony about repeated fires, trespassers and neighborhood safety.

Council members voted on a bundle of property resolutions after staff described inspection results and posting dates. Speakers from neighborhoods near the Executive Inn on Northwest Cash Road and a cluster of houses on Southwest Third and I avenues urged council action, describing repeated fires, open doors and people living in closed buildings.

Residents said the ongoing problems included vandalism, theft of building materials and people sheltering in properties that neighbors called unsafe. "It's been basically just torture to us as neighbors," said Mark Glenn, who lives behind the Executive Inn, describing broken fencing and people in the building at night. Several other neighbors described fires and trespassers cutting boards out of fences.

Council approved the resolutions and abatement authorization for the listed properties and gave owners deadlines in some cases to secure buildings or obtain permits. When owners or their representatives appeared and presented plans or permit applications, council sometimes agreed to postpone full action so owners could attempt repairs; where no plan or timely action was offered, council approved abatement steps and the city attorney was authorized to pursue legal remedies.

Votes at a glance - 209 Southwest I Avenue — Resolution declaring structure dilapidated and authorizing abatement; motion passed 7-0. (Posted Jan. 15, 2025.) - 211 Southwest I Avenue — Resolution declaring structure dilapidated and authorizing abatement; motion passed 7-0. - 213 Southwest I Avenue — Resolution declaring structure dilapidated and authorizing abatement; motion passed 7-0. - 415 Southwest Jefferson Avenue (secondary structure) — Resolution declaring secondary structure dilapidated; owner told it could be removed or lien placed if not abated; motion to table then carried; later motion approved 7-0. - 808 Southwest Third Street — Resolution declaring structure dilapidated and authorizing abatement; motion passed (vote recorded as "motion carries" 7-0). - 810 Southwest Third Street — Resolution declaring structure dilapidated and authorizing abatement; motion passed 8-0. - 812 Southwest Third Street — Resolution declaring structure dilapidated and authorizing abatement; motion passed 8-0. - 108 Southwest Roosevelt Avenue — Motion to table for 30 days to clarify ownership (probate) passed 6-2. - 1505 Southwest Sheridan Road — Motion to table (owner is actively working with staff to comply) — motion carried 7-1. - 1608 and 1609 Southwest Douglas Avenue — Both tabled 30 days at owners' request while they pursue repairs or listing; motions carried (most votes 7-1). - 1722 and 1722 Northwest Cash Road (developer-owned) — Motion to continue public hearing and work with staff; tabled 60 days; motion carried 7-1. - 1831 Northwest Cash Road — Council directed city manager to get involved and gave 30 days for owner/staff follow-up; motion carried 7-1. - 1902 West Gore Boulevard and 2402 Southwest Lee Boulevard — both tabled 30 days to permit predevelopment meetings or owner follow-up; motions carried 7-1. - 2550 Northwest Fort Sill Boulevard — Owner has applied for roofing permit and is pursuing design; council motion to table for seven months to allow permit work; motion carried (vote recorded as carried). - 1217 Northwest Cash Road — Owner requested a table; council instead gave 30 days and directed staff to give the owner a written list of minimum safety measures; motion carried 7-0. - 3134 Northwest Cash Road (Executive Inn) — Council directed staff to give the owner a written list of minimum safety measures and return in 30 days; motion carried.

What council did and why it matters Council used the authority in the Lawton City Code (section 651 referenced during staff presentations) to post notices, declare public nuisances and authorize summary abatement and court action when owners do not comply. In many cases council emphasized that the city's immediate concern is safety (boarding windows, securing doors, removing hazards) rather than full renovation to code; owners were told they could pursue permits to complete repairs but must meet minimum public-safety steps in the meantime.

Neighbors from multiple addresses urged action at the public hearing, describing repeated fires, sleeping people inside closed buildings, trash and vandalism. Mayor and council members told residents they would seek increased police checks in problem areas and that the city manager and fire marshal have emergency abatement authority if properties present imminent life-safety risks.

What to expect next - For properties where owners were given 30 days, council will revisit the items at the specified meeting. Where owners applied for permits or demonstrated active remediation plans, staff said they will try to coordinate inspections and advise owners about the permitting process. If owners do not comply, the city attorney has been authorized to file actions in district court and the city may proceed with summary abatement and lien procedures.

Sources and evidence Council packet presentations and staff reports; public testimony by neighbors including Mark Glenn and Margaret Gray; numerous staff statements recorded at the meeting (posting and fire dates shown in staff slides; many properties were posted Jan. 15, 2025).