The Hope Board of Directors took another step in its Tuesday meeting toward removing blighted properties from neighborhoods across the city, voting to begin condemnation proceedings against nine additional structures after hearing that 10 previously condemned buildings have already been demolished, with one more awaiting utility work before it can be torn down.

Code Enforcement Officer Jennifer Ghormley told the board the city has made substantial progress since its last round of condemnations, with demolitions completed either by property owners or city contractors.

Ghormley began by reviewing previously condemned properties that have now been removed. She said 1515 Allen St. has been demolished by a city contractor, while the new owner of 903 N. Walker hired a contractor to remove that structure. The same owner also demolished neighboring houses at 903 E. Greenwood and 905 E. Greenwood, while the owner of 1516 Bell likewise hired a contractor to tear that house down. Ghormley noted that 411 Rutherford was demolished before it had to come before the board for further action.

She reported that city contractors also demolished 816 McFerron, 1211 N. Walker, 916 N. Sherman and 206 E. Avenue D. Ghormley said the Sherman Street property had been largely cleared by Tuesday morning and that updated photographs would be taken after the contractor finished smoothing the site. She noted that the East Avenue D structure had been demolished earlier that same morning.

Only one previously condemned structure remains awaiting demolition. Ghormley said the contractor is prepared to remove the house at 411 E. Ninth St. but has been delayed while waiting for the gas company to disconnect service. "This has been the struggle with these last few ones, waiting on the gas company to shut off the gas so our contractor can get to it, but the contractor is ready to tear down," she said.

Turning to the next round of condemnations, Ghormley recommended action on 421 E. 15th St., where the owner has contacted the city about remodeling but the structure remains unsafe. She said, "We still need it condemned either way. There's obviously huge holes in the roof, foundations non-existent in places. I've had several complaints on the house as well from neighbors."

Ghormley next presented 611 Oak St., where she said the city has received numerous complaints about both the overgrown property and the deteriorating structure. She noted that a fallen tree caused additional damage and pointed out that "there's actually a hole in the roof."

She also recommended condemnation of 108 S. Washington, located just north of the Hope Police Department near the railroad tracks, saying, "This house is pretty bad off in pretty bad shape. The picture is really kind of self-explanatory."

The board then reviewed 1312 Midland, where city officials initially believed progress had been made after the owners cleared heavy vegetation from the property. Ghormley said the cleanup instead revealed much more extensive deterioration. "What it revealed is not good. So that house still needs to be condemned."

Discussion then turned to 200 Rose Hill, where Code Enforcement Director Dorsey Askew recalled previous attempts to encourage demolition. Askew said, "He's wanting to get somebody to tear it down." Ghormley agreed, adding, "A few of them seem like that."

Ghormley also recommended condemnation of 515 Long. She said the lienholder has contacted the city and received names of contractors, but inspection showed the home's structural condition is much worse than its outward appearance suggests. "It doesn't look so bad, but ... it's basically caving in ... and the foundation, the whole front of the house is kind of sunk," she said. When Director Trevor Coffee asked whether the house was occupied, Ghormley replied, "None of these houses are going to be occupied."

Another structure recommended for condemnation was 1200 W. Fifth St., which was heavily damaged by fire several years ago. Ghormley said she has remained in contact with the owner, who supported the city's action despite being unable to attend the meeting. "I just told her that today it was just going to be condemned, and she was like, 'Oh yeah, definitely,'" Ghormley said.

Ghormley also recommended condemnation of 401 E. 14th St., explaining that the home's appearance from the street concealed severe deterioration on the rear of the structure. "We hate it because it's a beautiful house. But ... if you go in it, or if you look on the other side where you can't see it from the road, it's pretty bad," she said, noting missing siding and multiple holes in the roof.

The final structure presented was 711 Southland. Ghormley said the condition of the house left little doubt about its future. "I'm sure you all know about this one. Self-explanatory there. It needs to be gone. Obviously not livable, but it's just needed to be condemned so we can work on getting it torn down," she said.

Director Gary Johnson asked how many additional homes throughout Hope may ultimately require condemnation. Ghormley declined to estimate a total, explaining that her department prefers to complete one round of condemnations before beginning another. "That's just me. I like to get things finished before I continue on," she said.

Director Mark Ross observed that the pace of demolitions is also constrained by available funding, telling the audience, "They don't realize we also have a budget." Ghormley agreed that financial limitations sometimes require the city to delay action on some properties.

Following the presentation, City Manager J.R. Wilson presented a resolution declaring the nine properties public nuisances under the city's condemnation ordinance. The resolution authorizes the city to notify property owners and provides a 30-day period for the nuisances to be abated before demolition proceedings may begin. The board approved the resolution unanimously.

Before Code Enforcement staff left the podium, Ross asked the department to inspect three additional locations. He requested that staff examine 102 W. Second St. downtown, 1008 W. Third St. beside the former Russell's Curb Market, and a long-abandoned silver Mercury Grand Marquis parked at 1011 Fulton St. near the turn onto Spring Hill Road. Wilson replied that some of the properties had already been reviewed and simply were not included in this round of condemnations, while noting the vehicle did not appear to violate the city's code because it is parked on concrete.

Above photo: Before and after photos of the property at 515 Long were shown last night at the Hope City Board's meeting.