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Muncie unsafe-building authority continues dozens of cases, orders inspections and assesses fines
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Summary
At its March 12 hearing, the Muncie Unsafe Building Hearing Authority continued or modified orders for multiple properties, ordered inspections and, in several cases, assessed civil penalties while urging prompt contractor engagement and inspections.
The Muncie Unsafe Building Hearing Authority met March 12, 2026, at city hall and handled a long docket of unsafe-building cases, continuing most matters while ordering inspections, setting deadlines and, in a few cases, levying civil penalties.
The authority’s staff read notices, explained appeal rights and swore in participants before calling cases. For several properties the board modified demo orders to rehabilitation orders or continued demo orders to allow owners time to secure permits, complete repairs and obtain building-commissioner inspections. Staff said findings and any invoices for assessed civil penalties will be mailed to owners and filed in the Delaware County recorder’s office.
Why it matters: Unsafe-building hearings determine whether properties that threaten public safety must be repaired, demolished or placed under administrative enforcement. The authority’s decisions affect neighborhood safety, property values and what owners must do to regain occupancy or bring buildings into compliance.
Notable outcomes and requests
- 11600 East 24th Street: Owner reported permits were submitted following a January fire and described electrical and heating work under way; the authority continued the matter for 90 days and said an inspection by the building commissioner would clear the case if repairs and permits are complete.
- 2303 South Pen Street: The owner presented photos showing porch and foundation repairs; the board modified the previously-issued demo order to a rehab order and released the case contingent on a satisfactory inspection.
- 115 East 13th Street: A neighbor spoke about a failing staircase; the authority affirmed the order, assessed a $2,500 civil penalty and continued the case 30 days.
- 9100 South College Avenue, Apt. 15: Property manager Kayla Payne presented before-and-after photos and invoices for sewage repairs; a board member flagged a wrapped soil pipe that appeared to be asbestos and asked the building commissioner to inspect. The authority affirmed the rehab order and released the property contingent on satisfactory repairs and asbestos abatement if required. (See separate item.)
- 11800 South Liberty Street: A representative reported removal of 12.4 tons of debris related to an exterior fire; the authority continued the matter for 60 days and encouraged the owner to request an inspection earlier if the work completes.
- Grouped docket items: For a set of properties whose owners did not appear, the authority adopted the building commissioner’s reports as findings and adopted staff-recommended orders.
What the authority emphasized
Members repeatedly reminded owners that progress inspections must be scheduled at least 10 days before the next hearing to avoid $150 fines for failing to obtain required inspections. The authority encouraged owners to consult community development staff for contractor referrals and advised landlords and managers to document repairs with photos and invoices for the record.
Votes at a glance (selected docket items)
- Motion to continue 11600 East 24th Street for 90 days: approved. - Motion to modify 2303 South Pen Street demo order to a rehab order, contingent on inspection: approved. - Motion to affirm the order and fine $2,500 at 115 East 13th Street, continue 30 days: approved. - Motion to affirm rehab order and release 9100 South College Avenue contingent on satisfactory repairs and asbestos abatement if needed: approved. - Motion to adopt staff recommendations for a batch of absent-owner docket items: approved.
Next steps
The authority set multiple follow-up hearing dates (commonly 30, 60 or 90 days, with a frequent next hearing listed for June 11). Staff will mail findings, fines and instructions; owners who complete required work and obtain satisfactory inspections by the building commissioner will not need to return for the next hearing.
Reporting note: Quotes in this report are taken from the hearing transcript. When an individual’s name was not given in the record, this report attributes statements to the authority or to the role (for example “a committee member”) to reflect the transcript’s attributions.
