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DBI reports hundreds of vacant storefronts and dozens of vacant residential buildings; enforcement and outreach planned
Summary
DBI—s code‑enforcement update showed 396 complaints in September with a 95% 24‑hour response rate; staff reported 326 vacant/abandoned residential buildings and 507 vacant commercial storefronts on DBI lists and described steps for targeted inspections, hearings and public outreach.
At the Oct. 17 Building Inspection Commission meeting, Chief Building Inspector Patrick O'Reardon reported code‑enforcement activity for September and an inventory of vacant properties that commissioners characterized as a significant local concern.
O'Reardon said DBI received 396 complaints in the reporting period and responded to 375 (95%) within 24 hours. He said 161 complaints were abated during the period and that 327 vacant and abandoned residential buildings and 507 vacant commercial storefronts were on DBI's lists for the week of Oct. 5, 2018.
Inspector Mauricio Hernandez explained how properties end up on the list: many entries are triggered by complaints, and some storefronts remain listed because owners report they are marketing or partially complying but have not completed registration or remediation. "A lot of the reason they're staying on the list is because they are partially compliant to with the ordinance," Hernandez said.
Commissioners pressed DBI on how the department distinguishes between owners making good‑faith efforts and problematic actors, whether DBI or other agencies will lead enforcement or hearings, and whether public outreach could help identify vacant properties. Communications director Lily Magis said DBI has a web form for reporting vacant buildings and is developing outreach materials and coordinated neighborhood outreach with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
DBI said it is exploring administrative hearings for repeat noncompliance and is assigning additional inspector resources to follow up on the caseload. Commissioners noted the vacancy numbers fluctuate and that holiday season activity could reduce vacancies in some corridors.
