San Antonio building board orders demolitions, grants 180 days to repair one property

The San Antonio Building Standards Board on Feb. 5, 2026, found several residential structures to be public nuisances under City Code and ordered demolitions, while granting one owner time to repair a fire-damaged home.

Chair Dwayne Nelson presided over a meeting in which staff described multiple properties with structural failures, fire and water damage, exposed wiring, and evidence of drug activity. Dangerous-premises officers recommended demolition for 807 Elvira Street, 1027 Alameda Street and 1447/1449 Aransas Avenue; the board also considered repair plans and requests for additional documentation on other cases.

Why it matters: the board enforces the city’s building code to protect public health and safety. Several properties discussed are within 1,000 feet of elementary schools, and staff cited ongoing criminal activity and structural collapse as risks to neighbors and schoolchildren.

Votes at a glance

- 807 Elvira Street: staff recommended demolition after a DART inspection that showed severe water and structural damage, boarded windows, egress hazards and drug paraphernalia. The board ordered the property vacated, secured, utilities cut and demolished within 30 days. (Motion carried unanimously.)

- 1027 Alameda Street: staff documented a sinking foundation, rotted siding, sagging roof and multiple interior failures and recommended demolition. The owners said they purchased the lot in August 2024 and concurred with city demolition recommendations; the board ordered demolition, securing and removal within 30 days. (Motion carried unanimously.)

- 1447/1449 Aransas Avenue: staff recommended demolition and noted Office of Historic Preservation required deconstruction for parts of the structure. Owner Don Juan Gilberto said illness and delayed notice hampered his ability to present full documentation; the board voted 6–1 to reset the case to the next available date to allow the owner time to provide required materials.

- 206 Cato Street: staff recommended repair for the main structure and demolition of the accessory structure, but the owner requested 120 days and could not provide full financial proof at the hearing. Commissioner Fernandez moved to reset the case for the next available date to allow submission of documentation; the motion was seconded and carried.

- 350 Southwest 41st Street: after a second hearing, owner Adela (Adele) Savoia and lienholder/contractor Eddie Bravinek presented scope and financial documentation, including an initial estimate of $75,475 for exterior and interior work and proof of funds. The board found the property a public nuisance but feasible to repair, and ordered a 180-day repair period (amendment from 120 to 180 days), required an engineer’s report within the first 30 days, monthly reports to code enforcement every 30 days, and that the property be secured and fenced in front. (Motion carried unanimously.)

What the board said

Crystal Towne, dangerous premises officer, summarized the case for 807 Elvira and said, "Staff recommends the property to be demolished and for the property to be vacated." Paul Sanchez, the owner’s representative for 1027 Alameda, told the board: "We are in agreement of accepting the city's recommendation about demolishing the house." Adela Savoia, owner of 350 Southwest 41st Street, presented a repair estimate and said, "The estimate came out to be $75,475 to actually get permits, for electrical, for plumbing, for the inside, the outside, and what have you." Eddie Bravinek, lienholder and contractor for that property, added they had contractors and an engineer lined up and supported a 6- to 8-month timeline.

Documentation and next steps

For cases the board reset, owners were asked to return with permits, engineer reports and proof of financial ability to complete repairs or to show a contractor schedule. Where the board ordered demolition, the city may proceed to abate and recover costs as allowed under City Code. For 350 Southwest 41st Street, the owner may proceed with permits and the board required an engineer’s report to be supplied to the code enforcement officer within 30 days and monthly status reports thereafter.

Administrative notes

The board accepted minutes from Nov. 6, 2025, and nominated Fred Andes as vice chair of Panel A by acclamation. Development Services staff also reported pending reappointments and at-large applications under review by the city attorney’s office.

The meeting adjourned by unanimous consent at 11:30 a.m.