Evansville hearing affirms multiple vacate orders, continues many repair and raise cases

The Evansville/Vanderburgh County Building Commission on Nov. 21 affirmed multiple vacate orders, kept some civil penalties under advisement and continued many repair- and raise-order cases to allow owners or prospective buyers to provide timelines and contractor quotes.

Hearing officer Michael DiRienzo opened the session, explaining that his authority derives from Indiana Code 36-7-9 and local unsafe-building ordinances and that his decisions may be appealed to Vanderburgh Superior Court. The department moved through a lengthy docket covering emergency vacates, raise orders and routine repair orders across the city.

Inspector reports frequently described properties as vacant, exposed to the elements and hazardous. Inspector Lukey summarized conditions on 1101 East Powell Avenue as showing "foundation issues, missing mortar, and loose bricks throughout the property" and said the interior had been gutted in many places, with holes in the floor and missing siding that exposed the house to the elements. The owner, who identified himself in the hearing, said he had obtained contractor quotes and that previous permits on file bore the prior owner’s name; he asked for time to present evidence and indicated he had invested in other nearby properties.

On several cases the commission took a pragmatic approach: where new owners or buyers presented credible plans or proof of funds the court often modified raise orders to repair orders and set near-term progress dates. For example, Blaine Investment Group’s representative, Tico Blaine, told the panel his group had "several quotes" and expected to complete rehabilitation in about three months; the department agreed to take the vacate order as affirmed by agreement while the parties worked on a timetable.

Other matters were resolved as emergency or affirmed vacates because of inactive utilities or public-health risks. The commission affirmed an emergency vacate for a property at 3122 Arlington Avenue after department records showed water service had been inactive since January 2024 and electric service had been inactive since Nov. 15, 2024. The panel also affirmed a vacate order for a property near Nut Club Park after inspectors described collapsed roofs, missing exterior walls and evidence of trespass and garbage inside the structure.

Civil penalties were frequently discussed but often held "under advisement." Across multiple routine matters the department recommended $500 penalties for willful noncompliance; in a few instances an owner asked the authority to take a requested fine under advisement. The court imposed some $500 civil penalties where the department recommended enforcement and in other cases continued the penalty pending proof of progress.

Votes at a glance - 24CE205 (1101 E. Powell Ave): vacate order shown affirmed by agreement; raise-order evidentiary hearing continued to Feb. 27, 2025. - 23CE283 (903 N. Fourth Ave): matter continued for progress to Feb. 27, 2025; coordinator cautioned owner to secure proper permits. - 24CE187 (3122 Arlington Ave): emergency vacate order affirmed based on inactive utilities and public-safety concerns. - 24CE182 (25 W. Tennessee St.): vacate order affirmed by agreement while buyer presents rehab plan; matter set for status in December. - 24CE142 (1114 N. Fourth Ave.): vacate order affirmed and raise order taken under advisement because of severe structural and public-nuisance conditions. - Multiple routine matters: $500 civil penalties were imposed in some cases and taken under advisement in others; many matters were continued to Dec. 12, 2024, or Feb. 27, 2025, for progress reports.

Why it mattered The hearing directed enforcement activity at dozens of properties across Evansville, balancing the department’s public‑safety concerns with opportunities for rehabilitation by investors or owners who offered concrete timelines. The continuances give parties a short window to file permits, provide contractor estimates and demonstrate progress before the commission considers more punitive enforcement such as demolition or referral to housing court.

What owners and buyers said - The owner tied to 1101 East Powell said he had pulled permits earlier and had contractor quotes; he asked for time and stressed he had already invested in nearby work. - Buyer Tico Blaine of Blaine Investment Group said his group had quotes and expected a three‑month timeline to complete repairs. - New owner Chad Fraser said he did not want the house at 1108 W. Maryland raised and said he had proof of funds and a plan; the commission set a Dec. 12 check‑in to review progress.

What’s next The commission set a series of progress dates: many routine and evidentiary matters were continued to Dec. 12, 2024, while multiple cases that involved more substantial work or earlier notices were set for Feb. 27, 2025. Owners or buyers who were given continuances were told to provide written plans, contractor quotes and permit filings where appropriate. If parties fail to show required progress, the commission indicated it will consider civil penalties, referrals to housing court or administrative demolition.

The hearing adjourned after resolving the docket and confirming the Dec. 12 and Feb. 27 follow-up dates.