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Knoxville public officer orders repairs, demolition timelines and affirms boarding charges for multiple properties
Summary
At a May 1 public officer hearing, City of Knoxville staff and property representatives discussed safety hazards at multiple addresses. The public officer issued repair or demolition orders with 30–90 day deadlines, affirmed boarding charges on boarded buildings, and urged owners and lienholders to coordinate with codes staff.
Nicholas Bradshaw, the mayor-designated public officer, opened the May 1 hearing and ordered repair or demolition timelines and affirmed boarding actions for a series of properties found unsafe or an "attractive nuisance." Staff from the city's codes and public service departments presented inspections and recommended corrective orders; owners, lenders and developers testified and were directed to work with city permits staff.
The most immediate action was at 3115 Shields Avenue, where Alan Stonerock, neighborhood codes and enforcement manager, said the rear of the house had collapsed and called for immediate repair or demolition. Bradshaw ordered immediate corrective action and warned the city may placard, vacate and seek cost recovery as liens if the owner fails to act.
At 2541 Wilson Avenue, Stonerock said the dwelling showed heat/fire damage, a collapsed accessory roof and multiple liens; he requested a 60-day repair/demolition order. Owner Charles Holland told the hearing he recently purchased the property and said, "I'm I'm willing and ready to do it," noting he has contracted a builder. Bradshaw ordered repair or demolition within 60 days and urged Holland to coordinate with codes staff for inspections and permits.
Several other orders were issued with specified deadlines: a 30-day repair order (including accessory structures) at 3730 Kate Avenue after staff cited repeated nuisance calls and zoning violations; a 90-day repair order for the property transcribed as "5807 Oakwood Drive" (the transcript later reads "Elkwood" — see note below) for broken windows, removed utilities and outstanding liens; and a 60-day repair/demolition order at 2601 Johnston Street, where staff reported structural failure and noted the owner had applied for a demolition permit.
Stonerock also presented a series of boarding confirmations and requests that the public officer approved. For 308 South Gay Street, Oliver Adams, representing First Century Bank (the lienholder), asked for "60 days to get our arms around what needs to be done" so the bank could arrange permits and secure the site; Bradshaw affirmed the April 9 securing action and told Adams to stay in contact with codes staff. Boarding charges were also affirmed for 2721 East Magnolia Avenue, 4301 Asheville Highway, 1303 North Broadway, 1311 Charles Drive and 2795 Sutherland Avenue.
Staff repeatedly emphasized the city's preference to see properties rehabilitated rather than demolished if owners make a good-faith effort and obtain necessary permits and inspections. Multiple owners and representatives said they were taking steps: Charles Holland and James Houston reported active cleanup or permit plans; Evelyn Looney of A and Associates said her company bought 4301 Asheville Highway and aims to convert it to an administrative office and expects a fuller presence within 60 days.
The hearing included a procedural postponement: the case for 4116 Apex Drive was postponed to the July hearing because a Knox County tax sale is scheduled in June; codes staff will continue monitoring.
Votes and formal orders were issued from the bench at the conclusion of each case. The public officer adjourned the hearing after affirming the listed boarding charges and issuing the repair/demolition orders.
Note on transcript inconsistencies: the record alternately lists the same property as "5807 Oakwood Drive" and later as "5807 Elkwood Drive." The hearing officer read the address and issued a 90-day repair order; the article reports both transcriptions to reflect the hearing record.
Next steps: owners and lenders were repeatedly instructed to contact the permits and inspections office and schedule inspections for work already underway; the city warned it would proceed with placarding, vacating and lien-based cost recovery if corrective action is not completed within the ordered timeframes.
