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Board up cost of $2,350 for 1202 Tennessee upheld; fees for 1914 Greenwood withdrawn, others tabled
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Summary
The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety approved a $2,350 emergency boarding charge for 1202 Tennessee Street under the Unsafe Building Act, withdrew the request for 1914 Greenwood after ownership changed, and tabled actions on two other properties for later hearings.
The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety on March 2 approved a $2,350 emergency boarding charge for 1202 Tennessee Street after hearing testimony from code enforcement and the deputy city attorney.
"The actual board up cost… is $2,350, and we're asking the board to approve that cost as an emergency action under the Unsafe Building Act," Ryan Beal, deputy city attorney, told the board as he reviewed the invoiced amount and enforcement options.
Code enforcement manager DeMarcus Briscoe described the condition of the Tennessee Street property: "Pretty much unsafe. We received multiple complaints about the property being vacant for years and also homeless people also being inside the property," he said, explaining the city's decision to board the building for public safety.
The board voted to withdraw the request to recover costs for 1914 Greenwood Avenue after Beal said the property had changed hands since the boarding and the current owner could not be held responsible for costs incurred while the prior owner held title. The board also agreed to table consideration of costs for 820 Buffalo Street until the April 20 meeting because certified mail to the owner (Bluepoint Asset Management LLC) was returned unclaimed and notice by publication is required. The fee request for 1504 East Barker Avenue was reset to the April 6 meeting while staff continues owner outreach.
During public comment, resident Tommy Klavic urged the board to consider historical value before demolition or disposal of contents at boarded properties, referencing 1914 Greenwood as the former home of a locally notable resident.
The board approved the $2,350 emergency fee for 1202 Tennessee and took the other items up sequentially: 820 Buffalo was tabled to April 20, the Greenwood fee was withdrawn, 1202 Tennessee was approved, and 1504 East Barker was tabled to April 6. The actions were recorded as part of the board's enforcement under the Unsafe Building Act.
