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Board hears updates on West 3rd Street fires and Trinity Church stabilization
Summary
Building inspector reported continued stabilization and owner coordination for fire‑damaged properties at 776 and 778 West 3rd Street, ongoing partial demolition/stabilization at Trinity Church, and a separate recent fire at the Tiger Lily property; the board agreed to keep these items on the biweekly agenda while staff pursues abatement plans.
The Board of Public Works and Safety received updates July 6 on several recent building fires that left structures unsafe and requiring either stabilization, demolition or owner‑led rehabilitation.
The building inspector reported it has been roughly four months since the West 3rd Street fires affecting 776 and 778. He said shoring and barricade moves have allowed street crews to keep public access for events while the city and owners work through contractor estimates and insurance outcomes. The owner of 778 indicated she might purchase 776 to facilitate rehabilitation, but she has not yet been able to obtain reliable contractor quotes because damage on the east side remains obscured.
The inspector said Trinity Church is engaged in stabilization and partial demolition where needed, and crews have sought structural engineer approval before allowing neighboring property access; some decorative elements (bell tower, steeple and façade) have been saved and stabilized. The inspector also briefed the board on a recent fire at the Tiger Lily property; the owner is awaiting insurance determinations and neighbors have expressed health concerns.
The mayor said staff will continue biweekly updates and, if owners cannot make progress, the board may return with formal abatement or other recommended action. "If not, we'll have to come to Board of Public Works and recommend a plan," the mayor said. The board acknowledged the difficulty of getting precise contractor estimates while damage remains uncertain and directed staff to continue coordination with owners, insurance companies and the fire and building departments.
