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Fort Worth panel declares dozens of properties substandard, orders repairs or demolition
Summary
At its June 22 meeting the Fort Worth Building Standards Commission declared multiple properties substandard and hazardous, issuing 30–60 day repair-or-demolish orders in most cases and assessing or adjusting civil penalties where appropriate. Several owners won one-time extensions after showing active plans or contractor bids.
The Fort Worth Building Standards Commission on June 22 declared a string of residential and commercial properties across the city substandard and hazardous and ordered owners to repair or demolish the structures, typically within 30 to 60 days.
City code enforcement officers presented structural inspection reports that documented collapsed or missing roofing, compromised foundations, fire damage, exposed wiring, broken windows and interior breaches that allow pest harborage and unauthorized entry. "Staff recommends that the building standards commission declare the structure to be substandard and hazardous," city officer Franklin Young said as he summarized several cases.
Why it matters: the orders give owners a short window to show a concrete, dated work plan or to act before the city may authorize demolition and place a lien on the property to recover costs. For properties with potential environmental contamination or probate complications, staff said additional coordination with other city units or state environmental agencies may be required before demolition.
Owner responses and amendments - 3204 Northampton Street: Owner Leonardo Padilla told the commission he plans to "rehab it" and estimated a complete fix could take three to six months, though Padilla said he could start within 30 days. Lienholder Will Huffman said he spent $7,300 cleaning debris and said he could backstop the work if necessary. The commission declared the house substandard and hazardous and ordered repair or demolition within 60 days (motion carried; reported tally: 8 yes)."I stand behind him and I'll make sure it gets done," lienholder Will Huffman said in support of Padilla.
- 3300 Northwest 26th Street (accessory structure): The city presented evidence of significant fire damage; owner Jose Rivas requested 60 days. The commission declared the accessory structure substandard and hazardous and gave the owner 60 days to repair or demolish.
- 3732 South Grove Street: Officers said the property is in probate and that no repairs had been completed; a representative said a contract to demolish and rebuild is pending probate approval and asked for time. The commission declared the primary and accessory structures substandard and issued a 60‑day order while preserving the right to request an amendment once probate is resolved.
- 5738 Gettis Avenue: Owner Linda Coleman described repeated vandalism and financial constraints; officers noted prior court repair orders and civil penalties. The commission declared the structures substandard and hazardous and ordered repair or demolition within 60 days while emphasizing the amendment process as an option for verified progress.
Votes at a glance (selected outcomes) - 3204 Northampton St. (Leonardo Padilla): Declared substandard & hazardous; owner ordered to repair or demolish in 60 days; motion carried (tally reported as 8 yes). - 3300 NW 26th St. (Jose Rivas): Accessory structure declared substandard & hazardous; 60‑day repair/demolish order. - 3732 South Grove St. (probate; Joe F. Garcia): Primary and accessory declared substandard & hazardous; 60‑day order; commissioners noted probate constraints. - 5738 Gettis Ave. (Linda Coleman): Declared substandard & hazardous; 60‑day order; owner presented evidence of recent cleanup and plans to continue repairs. - Multiple nuisance/abatement cases: Several owners were ordered to abate nuisances within 30–60 days; where appropriate the commission levied civil penalties (commonly $100/day for 44 days) or reduced/removed penalties when substantial progress or mitigating circumstances were documented.
Environmental and title complications In a commercial case involving property the owner said might be contaminated, the owner reported previous dealings with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and asked the city for help; city staff said they would coordinate with environmental services before any city‑led demolition. Several cases were continued when ownership or probate needed verification.
What comes next Owners, lienholders or mortgagees have the right to request a one‑time amendment or to appeal commission orders to Tarrant County District Court within the timeframes stated in the commission’s orders. City staff said authorized demolitions will proceed if owners do not comply and that demolition costs will be liened against the property.
A note on procedure and interpretation Commissioners repeatedly urged owners to work with code officers to file permits and present a dated work plan if they seek extensions. Where speakers requested interpreter assistance, the commission accommodated translation and noted additional time allowances for testimony presented through an interpreter.
The Building Standards Commission recessed for lunch and completed a lengthy afternoon docket; many orders were issued with the stated goal of reducing hazards near schools, parks and other public gathering places.
