Friday's Enquirer had a story about Ron Brown, a 70-year-old Westwood resident who was sentenced to 170 days in jail for not cleaning up his properties.
While this case is a rarity for the housing court, there are many more people like him out there.
Their neighbors certainly know who they are.
The City of Cincinnati currently lists nearly 2,000 properties as either condemned or ordered vacant*, a 12 percent increase over a year ago. This doesn't include the hundreds with litter citations, overgrown lawns, or general repair orders.
It's not atypical for it to take between one and three years between pre-prosecution hearings on a property and the problem's ultimate resolution. It can take even longer if the property changes ownership because a new case has to be started.
I've seen houses that burned down take over a year to be demolished because it had to have a hearing and be put out to bid.
Perhaps the Department of Buildings and Inspections is understaffed.
I would like to compile a database of the City's worst offenders in the hopes of bringing them to light. If anybody has any ideas or submissions, please post them here.
I also invite general talk about derelict properties, slumlords, and the City's response to them.
* This doesn't include the City's numerous derelict properties.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
There are many more Ron Browns out there
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
Recent Comments
3 comments:
Great idea to create a database, of sorts, of the worst property maintenence offenders around. It is typical that there are fewer Code Enforcement officers than what are really needed (unfortunately).
CityBeat used to do something similar. It's a shame they stop it. Maybe they can give you access to their files? Here's one from 2003.
Blight of the Week
1703 Elm St.
By April L. Martin
Address: 1703 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Owner: Smith Foundation Properties, LLC
Built: 1886
Value: $21,800
Comments: 1600 through 1800 Elm St. is one of Cincinnati's most economically depressed areas. The Smith Foundation recently purchased several buildings in Over-the-Rhine, four of which are vacant or condemned.
In June a hearing declared the buildings at 1701 and 1703 Elm St. public nuisances. Graffiti has tainted the plywood on the front of 1703 Elm, with phrases such as, "Post No Bills" and "RIP Nikka." The pungent smell of urine perfectly compliments the odor of stale beer, adding to the impoverished atmosphere.
Buildings are declared public nuisances when they are beyond repair and dangerous to the public. They are prime targets for arson and crime, creating hazards for firefighters and other public employees who sometimes must enter them.
But the damaging effect doesn't stay within the walls of the dilapidated structures.
"A public nuisance devalues property and keeps surrounding building owners from getting insurance," says William Langevin, director of the city of Cincinnati's Department of Buildings and Inspections.
The Smith Foundation bought this property from Northern Liberties Corp., which failed to comply with city orders to fix the properties.
The buildings are historic and under review by the Historic Conservation Board, which will determine whether the properties should be demolished or repaired.
"I try not to take down historic buildings unless they pose imminent danger to health and welfare of the public," Langevin says. "They are a unique resource to the city."
The owners couldn't be reached for comment.
http://citybeat.com/2003-10-29/blight.shtml
I liked that feature in CityBeat. It's a shame they got rid of it.
Post a Comment