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Commission upholds abatements for 161 Gambier; gives one‑year permit window and vacant‑property requirements
Summary
The commission upheld two abatement orders for 161 Gambier Street, finding the building unsafe and a neighborhood nuisance. The board allowed the existing issued permit one year to complete work, directed DBI to enforce health and safety steps and required vacant‑building registration.
The Building Inspection Commission on Dec. 16 upheld two orders of abatement for 161 Gambier Street, where DBI described an abandoned, fire‑hazardous structure with interior and exterior finishes removed and no final inspections on record.
Ed Swinney of DBI presented a history of repeated notices of violation dating to 2005, multiple expired permits and extensive neighborhood complaints. Staff recommended upholding the abatement and imposing assessment costs, citing public‑safety concerns and the property’s open exposure to the elements.
Representatives for the property described prolonged financial hardship that halted work and said they had begun to take steps this year to restart construction. Commissioners expressed sympathy for financial constraints but emphasized public‑safety and neighborhood impacts. They required that the permit that had been issued on Sept. 10 be limited to one year to complete work, that DBI have discretion to renew the permit only if substantial progress is shown, and that the owner register the structure as a vacant building and comply with vacant‑property regulations.
Motion and vote: The commission voted unanimously to uphold the abatement orders, find the property presented life‑safety hazards, limit completion of work to one year under the issued permit, and allow DBI discretion to renew the permit only if clear progress is evident. Commissioners also asked DBI to ensure registration and short‑term protections to keep the property secured while repairs proceed.
DBI estimated that completing the currently proposed scope of work would take six to nine months once active; staff asked owners to address immediate weatherproofing and safety measures while the longer permit process proceeds.
