Delaware County Unsafe Building Authority orders demolitions, legal actions on multiple unsafe properties

The Delaware County Unsafe Building Authority voted during its March 2026 meeting to pursue demolition, cleanup and liens on multiple long‑running unsafe properties and to seek court action against property owners who have not complied with prior orders.

The authority approved motions that will let staff solicit bids and proceed with demolition for 2701 West 26th Street (owner Angela Bostic), 801 East Gladcaster in Hyde Park, and 11601 East County Road 600 South (listed to This Is Going to Hurt LLC). Commissioners also authorized legal filings in several enforcement matters, including a lawsuit to remove structures and materials a county official says are encroaching on county land at 3621 West 29th Street.

Why it matters: Many of the properties discussed have long enforcement histories, unpaid taxes, active judgments or unresolved title disputes, which can slow enforcement and create financial risk for third parties who invest in rehabilitation.

What happened: At the start of new‑business discussion, staff summarized a list of repeat noncompliant properties and recommended obtaining demolition bids. Commissioners approved a motion to solicit bids for 2701 West 26th Street and to accept the lowest bidder and award the work. A similar motion to remove structures and clean up 801 East Gladcaster also passed on roll call.

At 11601 East County Road 600 South, Brian Kaufman, representing This Is Going to Hurt LLC, told the authority he had pulled a demolition permit but cannot afford full demolition, citing contractor estimates of roughly $15,000–$18,000. "I don't see $18,000 dropping in my pocket tonight," Kaufman said. Staff told the board the structure is unsalvageable; commissioners approved tearing the structure down and placing a county lien to recover costs.

Several other enforcement items generated formal direction. Commissioners instructed county attorneys to file a complaint to stop what staff described as a commercial boat‑repair operation running in a residential (R1) zone on South Burlington Drive. They also voted to file suit to compel the removal of structures and materials from 3621 West 29th Street after county staff said burned structures and encroachments remain; the motion included seeking relief for county property encroachments. Separately, the body voted to authorize filing suit against Michael Thompson for repeated noncompliance.

On a complex title and health matter at 7601 North County Road 650 East, staff reported a $350,000 judgment encumbering the parcel and a claim that a new buyer had paid for the property but not recorded a deed. Staff and the buyer's attorney requested time to record documents and to assess on‑site sewage repairs; the authority granted the buyer's attorney 30 days to record and told staff to return with an update next month, acknowledging the unresolved foreclosure and judgment could transfer ownership regardless of new recordings.

The authority also discussed rewriting the county's grass and weed ordinance to provide clearer enforcement tools and penalties. Commissioners agreed to draft revisions (one member suggested modeling language from an Albany ordinance) so the county can better address tall grass, trash and debris complaints, and to include a mechanism to place liens when owners fail to comply.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to solicit bids and award lowest bidder for demolition at 2701 West 26th Street — approved (Commissioner Brand: yes; Commissioner Henry: yes; Commissioner Rick: yes). - Motion to remove structures and solicit cheapest bid for 801 East Gladcaster — approved (Brand: yes; Henry: yes; Rick: yes). - Motion to order demolition and place lien at 11601 East County Road 600 S (This Is Going to Hurt LLC) — approved (Brand: yes; Henry: yes; Rick: yes). - Motion to petition courts to stop business activity at South Burlington Drive property — approved (Brand: yes; Henry: yes; Rick: yes). - Motion to tear down 2611 East 29th Street when deed/tax matters allow — approved (Brand: yes; Henry: yes; Rick: yes). - Motion to file suit against Mr. Gupta (3621 West 29th) to remove encroachments and compel cleanup — approved (Brand: yes; Henry: yes; Rick: yes). - Motion to file suit against Michael Thompson — approved (Brand: yes; Henry: yes; Rick: yes).

What commissioners and staff said: Staff recommended removal in multiple cases, calling some structures ‘‘unsalvageable.’' Mr. Fouch, the county official presenting several cases, told the board the structure at 11601 East County Road needs to come down. Commissioner Brand said the authority would place liens to recover costs when the county proceeds with demolition.

Owner comments and responses: Brian Kaufman, representing This Is Going to Hurt LLC, said he had sought contractors and could not afford demolition immediately and asked for time; commissioners declined to delay and directed the county to proceed with removal and lien placement. Brooke (a property owner who addressed a separate parcel) said she had only recently received corrected deed paperwork and is seeking a buyer; commissioners told her that potential buyers should contact the building official to learn how county action will proceed and that cleanup would not be postponed absent a recorded purchase agreement.

Next steps: Staff will solicit demolition bids and proceed with award to the lowest responsive bidder where instructed, place liens to recover county costs, coordinate with county attorneys to file the ordered court actions and return to the authority with updates (including a requested update next month on the 7601 North County Road case). The authority also directed staff to draft a revised grass and weed ordinance for later consideration.

The meeting adjourned after approving minutes and scheduling future meetings.