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Joplin building board orders demolition of dangerous house at 202 North Florida
Summary
After staff presented photos and title evidence showing severe dilapidation, the Joplin Building Board of Appeals voted Sept. 26 to order demolition of the structure at 202 North Florida, including outbuildings, citing multiple dangerous‑building code sections.
The Joplin Building Board of Appeals voted Sept. 26 to order demolition of a house at 202 North Florida after the city offered photographic and title evidence that inspectors said showed conditions dangerous to life, health and property.
Shelley Dollison, the city’s dangerous‑building inspector lead, testified under oath that inspectors found ‘‘broken windows, doors have been removed, electricity has been removed, drywall has been destroyed, and insulation hanging from those soffits is rotting and falling away’’ and that the property was open and unsecured. Dollison told the board she believes the structure meets multiple definitions of a dangerous building under the Joplin Code of Ordinances and recommended demolition.
Andrea Knobloch, representing the city of Joplin, presented the record of certified notices, a title search showing delinquent property tax records and a deed of trust, and multiple sets of photographs taken in February and July. Knobloch moved the photographs and title documents into evidence at the hearing. The board closed the record after the city’s case and deliberated.
On a motion, the board ordered demolition ‘‘in accordance with Joplin’s code of ordinances, chapter 26 articles 9 and 10, section 26‑6‑12’’ and specified the demolition would include all outbuildings. The motion carried; the chair announced the motion passed and the board directed staff to begin the demolition process consistent with the code provisions cited.
Board members asked staff to consider short‑term safety steps before full demolition. Dollison agreed that the front deck and stairs were severely rotted and suggested staff could ‘‘probably just have it pulled down’’ to remove immediate risk while the demolition schedule is set.
Why it matters: The order clears a long‑standing, open dangerous‑building case and illustrates the board’s use of the city code to move toward removal when owners do not make feasible repairs. Staff said certified mailings and public notice were completed and that a title search indicates the property was sold at tax sale prior to the hearing.
What happens next: The board’s order authorizes the city to commence demolition under the cited code sections; staff will coordinate steps to secure the site and advertise for demolition bidders. The board discussed difficulties getting bids and possible procurement changes to speed demolition work, but no change in that process was adopted at the meeting.
