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Owner says she can buy materials but not contractor; Freeport board gives 30 days for significant progress at West Fifth property
Summary
At a public hearing for 1717/2 West Fifth Street, the owner said she can buy materials but cannot afford a contractor; the board, noting safety concerns near a school and legal limits on repair timelines, gave 30 days for significant improvements.
At a public hearing the Freeport Board of Adjustments heard from the property representative for 1717/2 West Fifth Street, who said she could "buy materials to fix it, but I can't afford a construction company to come and do that." The board voted unanimously to give the owner 30 days to make "significant changes" or the city will consider demolition.
Counsel / Building Official (Speaker 5) described the structure as extensively damaged — "the south portion of the home is completely gone" with no roof and parts of the main structure collapsing — and said the building is about two blocks from a school, creating acute safety concerns. He explained that under the Texas Local Government Code there is a 90-day maximum window to allow repairs and that any repair plan must show "significant improvement," otherwise the city must move to demolish.
Members expressed sympathy for the owner but emphasized the city's safety obligations and the limits under state law. The board voted to give the owner 30 days for demonstrable progress and asked staff to return with updates at subsequent meetings.
