The Grand Prairie Building Advisory and Appeals Board voted to extend the deadline for repairs at a vacant former restaurant at 1215 East Main Street and scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 7, the board said during its meeting.

The board’s action came after city staff described recurring security problems at the long-empty building, updates from the owner’s representative about a signed sales contract and earnest money, and a presentation by the prospective buyer about a timeline for permit filings and repairs. The property has been vacant since about 2013 and staff said it had attracted trespassing and people camping inside before recent cleanup and security work.

City code enforcement staff told the board that the structure had been repeatedly re-secured and cleaned by contractors, and that the owner had provided a plan and schedule earlier. Staff said a prior order from the board set a deadline for repairs that technically expired at the meeting, and that extending the order would preserve the board’s authority to modify requirements while the sale and replat process move forward.

Leticia Sanchez, who identified herself as representing the owner and gave a Grand Prairie address, presented a copy of a sales contract and said the buyer had paid $15,000 in earnest money. "Earnest money, $15,000. So they really, really want to buy," Sanchez said. She told the board the property was currently secure and cleaned and that materials to begin work were on hand if the sale did not close.

The prospective buyer, Andy Lee of Arlington, described a plan to submit architectural and structural drawings for permitting after closing. "Our plan is, after we purchase the property with the property replat, then we will come in and have our structural engineer... submit the drawings to the city for permit," Lee said, adding that he expected to be able to submit permit drawings by March 1 but that final construction would take longer and depend on city approval and financing.

Staff also told the board that an amendment to the Unified Development Code was scheduled for city council consideration the next day; if approved, that amendment would allow planning staff to approve plats administratively when they meet code requirements, which could shorten the replat schedule for owners who submit complete materials.

Board members discussed possible return dates and the appropriate conditions to place on any extension. One board member said the new owner should be expected to provide an updated plan and permit status when the case returns. Board member King moved to rehear the item at the board’s April 7 meeting and to extend the current order’s deadline until that date; the motion was seconded by board member Avery and passed unanimously, 8-0.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to approve minutes from Nov. 4, 2024 — moved by King, seconded by Oliver; passed 8-0.
- Motion to amend the dangerous-structure order by extending the deadline and rehearing the matter on April 7, 2025 — moved by King, seconded by Avery; passed 8-0.
- Motion to adjourn — passed 8-0.

The board asked that the new owner or its representative come to the April meeting prepared with an updated, written plan and a timeline that includes the status of permits. Staff noted that purchase and submission of drawings do not guarantee permit approval and that any buyer would be required to bring the property into compliance with applicable city ordinances regardless of ownership.

The board adjourned after hearing no citizen comments.