Efforts to either fix up or tear down dilapidated buildings within the Knox city limits are continuing. The Board of Works yesterday affirmed demolition orders for three properties. The house at 108 Allen Drive was sold at tax sale last summer. City officials say the property owner’s daughter has advised she can’t afford to pay the back taxes on the property. The lot is overgrown, the windows and siding are in bad shape, and there are reportedly numerous animals living there. This has drawn numerous complaints from neighbors.
A demolition order was also affirmed for the vacant home at 6 N. Pearl Street. Board members noted it’s been vacant for at least seven years and fallen into a state of disrepair. City officials believe it was actually condemned five or six years ago but cannot find the paperwork to support that contention. Building Inspector Bruce Williams has tried without success to track down the owner.
The board also affirmed a demolition order for a burned-out, two-story house at 303 East John Street. Attempts to contact the owners have not been successful.
The owner of a house at 301 North Roosevelt Road was given 60 days to make substantial repairs to the home. Board members specified this means making it“move-in ready” and includes more than just cosmetic repairs to the exterior. They instructed the owner to obtain a $10,000 performance bond to ensure compliance with their order.
The owner/occupant of a home at 202 North Pearl Street was also given a maximum of 60 days to make significant improvements to the home’s interior and exterior. He was not in attendance at the meeting, and Williams says he never answers the door.
