Evansville hearing affirms multiple vacate and raise orders, sets repair deadlines and continuances

Evansville — A pro tem hearing officer affirmed multiple vacate and raise orders at the Evansville–Vanderburgh County building commission hearings on Oct. 23, 2025, ordering demolition bids in some cases, modifying one raise order to a repair order with a Feb. 26, 2026 completion deadline, and returning several other matters for progress review in November and December.

Hearing officer Michael DiRienzo opened the session by describing his authority under Indiana Code 36-7-9 and local unsafe-building rules: "My name is Michael DiRienzo. I've been appointed as a pro tem hearing officer by mayor Terry and my authorities derive from Indiana code 36 dash 7 dash 9 and the unsafe building laws and ordinances enacted by the city council of Evansville," he said.

The commission considered more than two dozen properties. Major outcomes recorded during the session included:

- 413 South Bedford Avenue (25CE130): The hearing officer affirmed the previously issued raise order for the garage and affirmed the raise order for the house; a vacate order for the house was also affirmed. The hearing officer directed that the property be taken to bid for demolition/repair where appropriate.

- 2526 Baker Avenue (25CE82): The hearing officer affirmed the vacate order but modified the raise order to a repair order, giving the owner a completion deadline of Feb. 26, 2026, and set the matter for further review on Nov. 20, 2025.

- 1604 Ewellhorn Street (25CE112): The hearing officer affirmed the vacate and raise orders after testimony about roof and structural damage and evidence the property had been unoccupied and deteriorating.

- 1417 North Elliott Street (25CE205): The commission affirmed the vacate and raise orders for a commercial structure after inspectors documented roof collapse, falling exterior walls and structural failure.

- 907 Harriet Street (25CE100): Following testimony and a submitted fire report, the hearing officer affirmed vacate and raise orders for a fire-damaged residence and related structures.

- 2208 East Michigan Street (25CE236), 305 East Louisiana Street (25CE228), 649 East Missouri Street (25CE233) and several other evidentiary cases: The hearing officer affirmed vacate and/or raise orders after inspectors recounted structural, water-intrusion or fire damage and evidence of trespass or vagrant activity.

- A number of repair-order matters were continued for progress review to allow owners or prospective buyers more time to produce schedules, contractor bids or repairs. Examples: 1108 West Maryland (23CE223), 708 East Maryland (25CE142), 916 South Elliott (24CE217 released to owner follow-up), 3316 Austin Avenue (24CE132 continued), and multiple other addresses were continued to Nov. 20 or Dec. 11 for status updates or to allow submission of repair plans and permits.

Neighbors and owners spoke at several cases. Jennifer Fairbock, the owner of 409 South Bedford, told the hearing she had recently regained possession and was preparing renovations: "I have been there for the last 2 weeks, getting ready to renovate the house, and it will go up for sale. It will not be sold to the church," she said while offering photos and insurance records to the commission.

Inspectors explained the evidence supporting enforcement. Inspector Allen testified repeatedly about missing shingles, open windows and interior water damage; when asked how many times she had inspected one property, she replied, "I have inspected it 8 times." Inspector Lukey, Inspector Harvey, Inspector Trammell, Inspector Grama, Inspector Knox and others described collapsed porches, missing foundation brick, holes in roofs and vagrant activity as the bases for vacate or raise recommendations.

Why it matters: Under Indiana Code 36-7-9, municipalities may pursue orders to vacate, demolish or require repair when a structure is vacant, not maintained and poses danger to people or property. The hearing officer’s affirmed orders clear the legal path for the city to solicit demolition bids or require repairs and the Nov.–Dec. review dates give owners time to submit plans or permits where the hearing officer modified a raise order to a repair order.

What’s next: The hearing officer set specific deadlines in multiple cases and returned many matters for status checks on Nov. 20 or Dec. 11. In the case where a raise order was modified to a repair order (2526 Baker Avenue), repairs were ordered completed by Feb. 26, 2026. Owners who wish to contest an order were reminded of appeal rights to Vanderburgh Superior Court within 10 days of the decision, as stated at the hearing opening.

The hearing included a mix of emergency vacates (utilities cut or inactive), vacate-plus-raise orders for structures judged unsafe, and continued repair matters where owners or purchasers are negotiating plans or lining up contractors. The hearing record shows the commission prioritized cases with documented structural failure, fire damage, or repeated evidence of trespass and neighborhood complaints in issuing orders or setting firm repair deadlines.

Ending note: The commission’s written orders will be entered into the municipal record; owners of properties with affirmed raise orders should expect the city to solicit bids or take other administrative steps consistent with Evansville Municipal Code and the authority summarized by DiRienzo at the hearing opening.