Council orders 112 S. College St. repaired or demolished after code inspection finds home dilapidated

Monroe City Council on Feb. 11 adopted an ordinance declaring the dwelling at 112 South College Street dilapidated and unfit for human habitation and authorized the city to pursue demolition if the owner does not repair the property.

Lisa Steinwinder, director of planning and development, told council a July 2024 code inspection found multiple violations including broken windows, failing roof, rotten siding and fascia, missing interior walls and floors, missing plumbing and wiring and a failing foundation. The property owner, Nancy Simmons, said she has owned the house 25 years, does not have the means to complete extensive repairs and that contractors advised the cost to repair would exceed the home—s tax value.

City staff provided a licensed contractor—s estimate of $88,378 to repair the dwelling; the tax value for the structure was listed at $69,800. Under the city—s minimum housing ordinance and state law, repairs exceeding 50% of the structure—s value empower council to adopt a demolition ordinance. Steinwinder said the city would file for a certificate of appropriateness to the Historic District Commission, which may delay demolition up to 365 days to allow preservation alternatives or sale.

Simmons told council she would be open to selling if an interested buyer offered to rehabilitate the property, but she said she was not actively pursuing that option and that demolition may be the likely outcome. Council adopted the demolition ordinance by voice vote. If the city performs demolition, the cost will be liened to the property and collected according to municipal procedure.

Councilmembers encouraged staff to increase proactive code inspections in older neighborhoods to identify at-risk properties earlier in the process.