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Wichita Falls council finds 401 Broad Street dangerous and orders demolition within 30 days
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Summary
After staff presented photographs and inspection reports citing mold, pest infestations, vandalism and disabled fire-safety systems, the Wichita Falls City Council adopted an ordinance declaring the derelict former Kiva Inn at 401 Broad Street hazardous and ordered the property owner to demolish it within 30 days; city staff said the city may act if the owner does not comply.
Wichita Falls — The City Council on April 21 approved an ordinance declaring the long‑vacant structure at 401 Broad Street hazardous and ordered the property owner to demolish the building within 30 days, after staff presented evidence the site poses threats to life, health and safety.
City staff described a slideshow of recent inspections showing water damage, extensive mold‑like growth, evidence of vandalism and copper theft, unsecured entry points and active public‑health and fire‑safety hazards. "The 218,000‑square‑foot structure presents serious fire, health, and safety risks," staff said during the hearing.
Neighborhood Services Manager Alex Borrego told council the city completed an initial structure report on Feb. 6, 2026, and a March 9 inspection documented pervasive moisture intrusion, vandalism (including a safe pushed through a wall and cut copper), and open access points. Borrego also reported the property's domestic water was disconnected in May 2018, citing a delinquent balance of $24,194.37 and tax delinquencies of $43,638.87.
Environmental Health Administrator Samantha Blair described public‑health concerns: "The facility has so much moisture that the environment is that of a living terrarium," she said, citing mold‑like growths, standing water that supported mosquito larvae (including species associated with West Nile virus), pigeon infestations and rodent droppings. Blair noted she is not a licensed mold assessor and that certified mold remediation requires a TDLR‑licensed remediator.
City Fire Marshal Craig Barron detailed fire‑safety deficiencies: missing or cut fire‑department connections and suppression piping, a corroded electric fire pump not inspected in a decade, nonfunctioning or untested fire alarms and extinguishers, obstructed egress in some hallways and combustible storage throughout the building. Barron said those conditions threaten firefighters' ability to safely fight a fire at the site.
During public comment, Dylan Schultz, attorney for several lienholders, said his clients have initiated foreclosure proceedings and secured a trial date of July 22, 2026. The lienholders have been paying certain taxes on the property; Schultz said foreclosure could create a new owner but does not guarantee rehabilitation.
A representative for the owner, identified in the hearing as Townsend, disputed the city's characterization and urged council to require an independent third‑party structural verification from outside the jurisdiction before ordering demolition. Townsend recounted funding setbacks and said the owner had pursued loans and repairs; he argued many cited issues were maintenance rather than structural failure and asked for time to finalize financing.
City legal counsel advised the council the proceeding is an administrative code hearing, not a criminal trial, and that the local ordinance standards and supporting documentation are permissible evidence. Counsel also said the municipal code does not legally require a third‑party, out‑of‑jurisdiction engineer as a prerequisite for the hearing.
After discussion, a councilmember moved and a second was received to adopt the ordinance finding the structure dangerous, requiring demolition within 30 days and declaring an emergency and immediate effective date. The motion passed by voice vote with no opposed votes recorded in the transcript.
Under the ordinance, if the owner fails to comply within the time period, the city may proceed with demolition and seek to recover costs as allowed by the code. The foreclosure process described by the lienholders remains pending and could affect ownership and remediation options.
The council returned from an executive session later in the meeting and took no further public action on this item.
What's next: the owner has the period set in the ordinance to act; if the owner does not demolish or remediate as required, the city may proceed with demolition and attempt to recoup costs through liens or other legal remedies.
