Hopkinsville board finds 1106 East 1st Street unsafe, approves fines and authorizes city demolition

The Hopkinsville City Code Ordinance Enforcement Board on June 23 found the structure at 1106 East 1st Street to be in violation of the city’s property maintenance code and authorized the city to demolish and clear the lot. Darnell West, a Hopkinsville Fire Department code enforcement officer, presented photographs and an unsafe‑structure checklist showing foundation failures, extensive missing siding, multiple roof holes and sagging, broken windows, missing utilities since 2016–17, interior holes and soft floors, and evidence the interior was open and accessible to the public.

West said the structure had been the subject of prior code enforcement activity and that notices had been posted and mailed without corrective action by current listed owners. After closing the hearing on the case (CEBPM26‑05‑008) because no owner was present to speak, the board moved and found the property in violation. The board then voted to assess penalties and to authorize the city to tear down the structure and clean the lot “as soon as practical.” A motion recorded on the transcript called for a minimum fine of $350 plus a $200 administrative fee; the board carried that motion.

The board’s actions are administrative remedies under the city’s property‑maintenance procedures; the chair explained that, except in cases of default, final orders may be appealed to the Christian District Court within 30 days. West told the board the property presented a hazard and that the city had the authority to abate the nuisance when owner contact or corrective action was not forthcoming.

At the same meeting the board also approved several dismissals for cases where ownership information had changed or mailing addresses were incorrect, and it approved default final orders for a set of cases listed on the agenda. The meeting then adjourned.