Building, Nuisance Board Moves Forward With Demolition Program

The Building and Nuisance Board of the Trenton City Council will be able to finance up to 11 structures for demolition following action taken on Monday night at city hall.
The board recommended that the council approve a bid from Red Rock of Hamilton to tear down 13 structures which the owners have indicated they would help pay the cost for the demolition along with three other structures on the list that have no financial commitment and would be the city’s responsibility to take down if so desired. The council voted 7-0 at its meeting later in the evening to accept the bid, which was for $96,875 and included $19,125 for the three that would be the sole responsibility of the city.
Red Rock’s bid was the lone one received by the city, however, Code Enforcement Officer Donnie Vandevender noted Red Rock has done most all of the city’s demolition work in the past. He said the bid was a bit higher that normal due to the city’s requirement that building foundations must be removed rather than allowing the foundations to be used as part of the fill.
Because of the price, the city will be able to help pay the costs for up to 11 structures to be taken down. Under the demolition program, the city can provide up to $1,750 per structure, with the remaining cost, including inspection and abatement, being the responsibility of the property owner. The city has $20,000 in its budget for demolition work.
Vandevender said he would be sending letters to the 13 property owners who have indicated a willingness to help pay for demolition, outlining the demolition cost as well as other costs that would be associated with taking down their structure. Those property owners would have 10 days to respond and then have another 30 days to come in and pay for their portion of the work. Because only 11 structures can be addressed, Vandevender said the payments would be accepted on a “first-come, first-serve basis.”
Should any money be left over due to not enough property owners being willing to help pay for demolition work, Vandevender said the board would review the list to determine if any of the three structures on the list with no commitment could be taken down. He said he hopes to have a list of properties to the board at its August meeting so that a final determination can be made and sent on to the city council for its approval.
In other business, the board approved a declaration of nuisance to properties located at 802 Grant St., owned by Michael and Genee Weaver; 813 Olive St., owned by Denise and Michael Jones, James Drake and Cheryl Feldt; 912 Grant St., owned by Nelda and Jeremy Kroll; and 1609 Bolser St., owned by Sherry and Mike Knapp. Moved on for public hearing were properties at 1312 Gilmore St., owned by Marvin Knapp; 1415 Lulu St., owned by Darrell and Amanda Williams; and 2002 Chicago St., owned by Sam Southers.
Given additional time due to progress being made were properties at 409 E. 19th St., owned by Dorothy Althoff; 510 W. Crowder Road, owned by Donald and Twyla Whitney; 511 E. Ninth St., owned by Steve and Jenine Towns; 3726 E. 28th St., owned by Jeremy Hamilton; and 1715 Lulu St., owned by John and Dawn Boyles. Russell and Bea Shaw were also given extended time to work on property they own at 1409 Lulu St., which is being used as storage.
Moved to “findings of fact” were properties at 305 E. 10th St., owned by RDM Investments; 400 Washington St., owned by James Owen; and 503 W. 12th St., owned by Ron Silkwood. Property at 1721 Lulu St., owned by Vern and Catherine Jenkins, was moved to the certificate of dangerous building process.
Property at 1103 E. 13th Ct, owned by Bart and Aline Shaw, was taken off the nuisance list after being abated. Action was tabled on property at 1104 E. 23rd St., owned by Faron Lawrence and Danette Teel, due to having no valid address to send information.
John Woodland presented photos of work he has been doing on property he owns at 1003 E. 17th St. and was given 30 additional days to do more work.
At the end of the meeting, three board members gave their verbal resignations, including chairman Stan Lowrey, vice chairman Tom Klinginsmith and Jeremy Soptic. Both Lowrey and Klinginsmith also recognized Police Chief Tommy Wright for his work with the board on nuisance issues. The meeting was the last one for Chief Wright, who has resigned and will be moving from the community.