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Neighbors press board to act on deteriorated 403 West 19th; demolition hearing set for Dec. 5
Summary
Residents gave emotional testimony about repeated nuisance activity, overdoses and unsafe conditions at 403 West 19th on Oct. 24; the board continued the item and scheduled a demolition hearing for Dec. 5 after staff laid out statutory notice and title work.
Neighbors at the Oct. 24 meeting of the Joplin Building Board of Appeals urged the board to move promptly on 403 West 19th, telling the board the property has been a long-standing source of blight, safety concerns and repeated emergency calls.
Jason Lieberman, a nearby resident and legally blind neighbor, said the property has been a continuing problem since the prior owner's death and that debris and occupant activity make it unsafe. "I can't even walk down the sidewalk in front of it because I don't know what's in front of the house anymore," Lieberman said, describing recurring trash, human waste and dangerous conditions.
Neighbor Gary Gray recounted multiple emergency responses at the house, including overdoses and late-night disturbances, and said residents fear for their safety. "There had been two overdoses at that house over the last year and a half," Gray told the board, and he urged decisive action so neighbors can feel safe in their homes.
Staff described statutory steps required before ordering demolition, including title work, certified mailings and publication in the Joplin Globe, and said the building department has photographs and a police log documenting on-site activity. The board agreed to continue the case to Dec. 5 and hold a formal demolition hearing at that time; staff told residents they are welcome to provide testimony at the record hearing and that a demolition order would create a recorded finding of fact and a lien if the city performs abatement.
The board also discussed securing the structure as an interim measure and explained that, if the city performs required abatement or snowball procedures, the cost would be added as a special tax bill against the property. The board encouraged neighbors to continue reporting incidents to police so reports are part of the record.
What happens next: the board will hold a demolition hearing Dec. 5 where the city will present evidence and neighbors, owners or representatives may present testimony. If a demolition order is issued, asbestos testing and publication requirements will precede contractor work and any city-performed work will generate a special tax lien.
