To Be Demolished: The Formal Track to demolition

nvrenuf · July 23, 2010, 09:28:33 AM

Quote from: sheclown on July 22, 2010, 07:25:32 PM
Great! I drove up and down Ionia today and made a little graph. I have pictures of all of the houses and a notation of their relative condition. I would like to compare this with the number of actual lots from the property appraisers data base and see how many historic homes are actually left standing.

Never, you could do the same with your street. It was hit pretty darn hard. Addresses of the houses that remain. Notations whether they are condemned, restored, livable, non-conforming or new construction and a picture of each. I'm going to make a data base that several of us (you included if you wish) can post to. I think if we just tackle this block by block we can make it work.

Time flies, apparently in 12/2007 AlexS and MovedSouth were working on a similar database collecting photos of homes on the unsafe structure list. They were saving them using the RE# so that they could be tied to the Property Appraiser database. I'll start on Boulevard and Perry today.

sheclown · July 23, 2010, 12:10:51 PM

Excellent. I did walnut today but got the photo and the numbers mixed up. hahha. That is not fun!!! Probably need to do it again.

Had a chance to talk to people (naturally curious as I am snapping photos of their houses) and everyone I've talked to is eager to see this done and wants to be informed of the outcome. Great way to meet people.

mbwright · April 10, 2011, 10:11:42 PM

245 w third street also looks like it is doomed with the orange tag. This is such a great house, and could be restored. There are several great houses that have been, and look great. This one is so unique. built in 1909, and almost 5000 sq ft. what a loss.

Timkin · April 10, 2011, 10:14:21 PM

This is INSANE

buckethead · April 10, 2011, 10:29:38 PM

HOLY CRAP!

That is one of the most awesome houses in the city!

*Praying*

"Please Lord, Send some cash my way... I want to remake this house into the jewel the original builders constructed".

I will lie in front of the bulldozers and wrecking crews like a fruitcake tree-hugger... clinging, unbathed to sequoia.

*Researching ownership*

peestandingup · April 10, 2011, 11:43:09 PM

Yeah, it would be a travesty if they demolished this house (looks more like a castle). Its awesome. Not to mention it's the first home a lot of people see when they drive into the neighborhood.

http://apps.coj.net/pao_propertySearch/Basic/Detail.aspx?RE=0708420000

Lunican · April 11, 2011, 12:00:20 AM

Google Street View

Google Images

AmyLynne · April 11, 2011, 12:42:24 AM

Quote from: mbwright on April 10, 2011, 10:11:42 PM
245 w third street also looks like it is doomed with the orange tag. This is such a great house, and could be restored. There are several great houses that have been, and look great. This one is so unique. built in 1909, and almost 5000 sq ft. what a loss.

Why on earth is that house on the track for being torn down?

?

AmyLynne · April 11, 2011, 12:43:51 AM

Quote from: buckethead on April 10, 2011, 10:29:38 PM
HOLY CRAP!

That is one of the most awesome houses in the city!

*Praying*

"Please Lord, Send some cash my way... I want to remake this house into the jewel the original builders constructed".

I will lie in front of the bulldozers and wrecking crews like a fruitcake tree-hugger... clinging, unbathed to sequoia.

*Researching ownership*

Let me know...I will become a fruitcake tree-hugger with you in front of the bulldozers!!!!

sheclown · April 11, 2011, 06:27:59 AM

It is the green tag which warns of pending demolition.

The orange tag, while not a good sign, means a violation of some sort.

It does point to a deterioration and a heading down a sad path, that's for sure.

buckethead · April 11, 2011, 07:09:14 AM

This house seems to have been foreclosed on, or it is still pending. From what google tells, A widow owns the house. The husband apparently died after it's purchase. The most recent document I found stated the principle balance was in the $140's.

It seems I have seen activity at this house, though not recently. Some degradation (porches) is visible externally, but the structure looks sound. No signs that this property is on the market.

movedsouth · April 11, 2011, 09:35:35 AM

Someone lived in the house until about a year ago I think. At least power was connected as recently as a few months back. As sheclown pointed out, the orange "Condemned" sign does not always lead to demolition, but it is the first step.

"Condemned" more or less means that the house is unsafe to live in. Not having power connected could be one reason, structural issues another. The house has obvious problems with sagging, missing roof tiles and general deterioration. Until recently, the lawn and such was well maintained but I think it is slipping too.

I see this house as a "must safe". It is right at the entrance of Springfield, and very unique and impressive in its appearance. However, saving it will need substantial effort due to the size of the house and the structural problems it likely has. So start filling out those lottery tickets!

Timkin · April 11, 2011, 09:41:13 AM

Yes......that one is really nice.. No way should it be torn down.

I sincerely hope with a new administration will also come new rules, and a new staff at code enforcement.. There is no way in hell this house needs to be torn down.

Only in Jacksonville Florida

Lilysmom5 · April 11, 2011, 10:23:50 AM

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/245-W-3rd-St-Jacksonville-FL-32206/44476426_zpid/

Here is the info according to zillow. It doesn't appear to be on the market. Being in the const mortgage industry, when it is listed, they need to take their losses and ask for much lower, especially considering the condition it is in.
This is such a beautiful home! I wish I had the $ to take on such a wonderful building!

Springfield Chicken · April 11, 2011, 11:09:50 AM

I have been working on trying to reach a "decider" on that house for some time. It IS an icon of Springfield and it's important that we save it.

After some research I discovered that the current owner, Mrs. Massey, has a mortgage that is in default and a bunch of city fines. I've tried to reach out to her and sent her registered letters offering to help but to no avail.

I did reach the attorney who worked with her on the foreclosure and it appears that she successfully fought the lender to a standstill. The bank began foreclosure procedings back in 2006 and about a year ago the bank ended up in stalemate with her because they have lost a document she was supposed to have signed and without it they can't foreclose. Registered letters to them and the attorneys they hired have also gone unanswered.

A buyer who contacted SPAR is interested in restoring the home and living in it. He is a contractor and so is his son so they know the challenges they will face in this home. We just have to find someone who has clear title who will move the process forward. If Mrs. Massey would agree to let us negotiate a short sale (because she owes more than the home is worth) I believe we could get the bank to agree, especially since we have a buyer. But without her consent we can't do anything.

If anyone knows Mrs. Massey personally and can reach her and persuade her to move on this I have faith we can work out a short sale. We do this all the time.

I'm open to any ideas and will be happy to help any way I can. We're not looking for a commission on this sale - I just want to save this iconic home.