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Council orders repair or removal of long‑troubled building at 3405 E. 4th Ave., gives owner 60 days
Summary
After hearing years of code violations and a 2024 partial collapse, Hutchinson City Council adopted a resolution finding the structure at 3405 East 4th Avenue unsafe and dangerous and ordered the owner to commence repairs or removal within 60 days; the order passed after debate over continuances.
Hutchinson — The Hutchinson City Council on June 16 adopted a resolution finding the building at 3405 East 4th Avenue to be an unsafe and dangerous structure and ordered the owner to commence repairs or removal within 60 days, after a lengthy hearing in which staff presented a 15‑year history of noncompliance.
Jason Lady, the city’s building official, told the council the property has lacked a valid certificate of occupancy, has not completed required life‑safety work and suffered a partial collapse in 2024. “The structure remains unsafe and dangerous,” Lady said, summarizing inspections, expired permits, missed deadlines and a building trades board decision that upheld the city’s prior determinations.
The owner’s representatives argued plans and independent reviews were in progress and said the temporary restraining order filed in municipal court had impeded construction; counsel also said the business had invested money in remediation and product removal. The owner’s representative said, “over $500,000 has been spent related to the building,” a claim staff said it had not documented.
Assistant City Attorney Cody Smith urged the council not to grant another continuance, saying the record shows repeated extensions without sustained compliance and that continued occupancy created a public‑safety risk. “This is not a case where the owner has been surprised,” Smith said, urging the council to move forward with the dangerous‑structure process while observing due process protections.
After council discussion and questions of staff about plan review and the temporary restraining order’s effect, the council voted to adopt the resolution. The order does not immediately authorize demolition; it provides an additional 60 days from publication of the ordinance for the owner to commence repairs or removal and requires the owner to pursue work diligently. If the owner fails to comply, the resolution authorizes the city to take enforcement or abatement actions authorized by state statute and city code.
The city recorded the resolution vote by roll call. The council also instructed staff to continue working with the owner on plan submittals and technical reviews during the compliance period.
