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Birmingham commission orders demolition of dilapidated Elm Street building after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing and a staff presentation that included interior photos and a multi-year timeline of code notices, the Birmingham City Commission on Oct. 27 declared 611 Elm Street (also known as 635 Elm Street) a dangerous structure and ordered the owner to demolish it within 30 days or face city-ordered demolition and a lien for costs.
After a public hearing that drew engineering reports from both the city and the property owner, the Birmingham City Commission on Oct. 27 unanimously declared the long-vacant building at 611 Elm Street (also identified in city records as 635 Elm Street) a dangerous structure and ordered its demolition if the owner does not act within 30 days.
City Building Official Jeff Silke told the commission staff first responded in January 2024 after a water line failure and found extensive interior damage — torn carpet, falling ceiling tiles, standing water and widespread mold — and that repeated notices were sent to the owner in 2024 and 2025. City Attorney Mary Kucherick said the building violates provisions the city adopted from the International Property Maintenance Code and Birmingham ordinances (citing the city's property-maintenance authority and notice history), and warned the property had become an attractive nuisance that could harbor criminal activity and jeopardize neighboring property values.
Attorney Alan Applebaum, speaking for owner Ralph Farranzo, presented two structural-engineering summaries that concluded the masonry walls and foundation could be repaired and that demolition was not immediately necessary. Farranzo said he had arranged contractors and had engineering reports showing the structure could be stabilized and remediated, and his remediation contractor said mold and asbestos removal were feasible.
Commissioners pressed the owner about the long timeline of notices and about whether he had pursued permits or met with staff; the building official and city attorney said the city had provided multiple formal notices (including a May 20, 2024 notice of violation and a mid-2025 final notice) and that voluntary demolition plans had stalled. Jeff Silke said the roof had partial collapse and block units were falling from the upper walls, and that he would not feel safe entering the structure in its present state.
After brief deliberation, the commission adopted a resolution ordering the owner to demolish the building within 30 days. The resolution directs the city manager to proceed with demolition and grading if the owner fails to act and authorizes placement of a lien on the property for demolition costs.
The resolution was adopted by roll-call vote as recorded by the clerk.
