Knoxville public officer orders repairs or demolition for six properties after safety inspections

Nicholas Bradshaw, the public officer designated by the mayor, found multiple Knoxville properties out of compliance with city building and property-maintenance codes at a March 27 hearing and ordered owners to repair or demolish structures within set deadlines.

Bradshaw opened the hearing by listing the adopted codes that inform enforcement, including recent International Code Council editions, the National Electrical Code and the city’s property-maintenance provisions. Scott Elder, neighborhood codes enforcement manager, then presented inspection findings across the docket, citing collapsed retaining walls, roof openings that “you can see daylight through,” fire burnouts, and repeated nuisance calls.

For 3119 Woodbine Avenue, Elder described severe roof failure and a partially collapsed retaining wall that he said had caused bricks and walls to shift. Owner Arianne Kitchen told the hearing she bought the property in 2023 for $32,000, said she secured financing in February and that a contractor applied for permits in early March. “I acquired this property back in 2023. I paid 32,000 for it,” Kitchen said. Bradshaw ordered repair or demolition within 120 days and warned that failure to act could lead to placarding, vacation of the building and city-initiated demolition with costs placed as a lien.

At 2638 Jefferson Avenue, Elder said the property first drew city action in 2017 and has seen little corrective work since, with utilities removed and repeated nuisance calls. Jerry Lawson, who said he was speaking for his mother, Sylvia Kay Hill, said the family intends to sell the property and has had buyers and a local church express interest. Bradshaw issued a 90-day repair-or-demolish order.

2101 Linden Avenue, which staff said suffered a significant February fire and was boarded by the city afterward, also received a 90-day order. James Smith, who said he acquired the property “a couple years” ago, told the hearing his team had reinforced doors and arranged for property management and cleanup. Smith said prior permitting attempts stalled because a contractor stopped work; Elder cautioned that structural and safety reviews could require additional engineering and that permits might take time. Staff also sought, and Bradshaw affirmed, approval of emergency boarding charges taken after the fire.

Elder asked for a 60-day repair order for 403 Nash Road after inspectors found a large roof hole and evidence of unlawful entry; attorney Chuck Burkes told the hearing the house is subject to an estate matter in probate and asked for time for heirs to act. Bradshaw ordered a 60-day repair. The hearing also approved and affirmed boarding charges for two other addresses—209 South Castle Street (which staff said had since been demolished) and 1905 Riverside Drive—based on corrective actions taken earlier.

Elder repeatedly warned that some repairs could require structural-engineer review and that permit issuance may add time and cost. Bradshaw said the city is willing to consider extensions if demonstrable progress is shown before deadlines expire, but he emphasized the public-safety rationale for the orders in light of documented hazards and nuisance calls. With no further business, Bradshaw adjourned the hearing at 10:07 a.m.

Actions at a glance: 3119 Woodbine Avenue — public officer order to repair or demolish within 120 days; failure may result in placarding, vacation and city-initiated demolition with costs liened (order issued by Nicholas Bradshaw). 2638 Jefferson Avenue — public officer order to repair or demolish within 90 days (order issued by Nicholas Bradshaw). 2101 Linden Avenue — public officer order to repair or demolish within 90 days; city affirmed emergency boarding charges related to February fire (order and boarding charges affirmed by Nicholas Bradshaw). 403 Nash Road — public officer order to repair within 60 days (order issued by Nicholas Bradshaw). 209 South Castle Street — boarding charges from August 2025 affirmed; property reported demolished. 1905 Riverside Drive — boarding charges from August 2025 affirmed.

What happens next: owners or their representatives may seek permits, provide progress to city staff, and, where demonstrated progress is shown, Bradshaw said the city would consider extensions; otherwise the city may placard and take corrective action with costs collected as liens under city code.