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Cleveland council upholds dilapidation order at 500 E Delaware, sets May 5 deadline
Summary
Council upheld the City Manager's dilapidation order for 500 E Delaware and gave property owners until May 5, 2026 to begin demolition or complete repairs; the vote was 5'0'00.
The Cleveland City Council on Feb. 12 upheld the City Manager's decision declaring the property at Lot 12, Block 1, Cleveland Sloan's II Addition (commonly known as 500 E Delaware) dilapidated and hazardous. City Attorney Nathan Floyd advised the council on the dilapidation process and notice requirements, describing the structure as vacant, uninhabitable and an attractive nuisance that posed risks to children, animals and people experiencing homelessness.
Property owner Christen Norris introduced herself and explained the timeline of her ownership and the steps she has taken to maintain the property. Norris asked the council for six months, saying a buyer plans to rehabilitate the house within that timeframe. The council instead voted to uphold the manager's order and set a firm deadline: owners have until May 5, 2026 to commence tearing down and removing structures or to complete repairs to make structures habitable. The motion, made by Mayor Chris Gabriel and seconded by Mike Carroll, carried 5'0'00 (Aye: Mike Carroll, Leland Davis, Chris Gabriel, Damon Lester, Ric Rommel). If the work is not complete by May 5, city employees or agents may enter the property to remove structures per the council action.
The minutes record that the City Attorney framed the action as protecting health, safety, and welfare, and that photos of the property informed council members' assessment. The council discussed the owner's proposal and the potential public benefit of demolition if rehabilitation did not proceed.
