The Knox Board of Works held a public hearing over a property on Lambert Street when they met Wednesday morning.
According to Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost, the owners of the structure at 306 W. Lambert Street passed away and the mortgage now belongs to Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Bank officials have reportedly indicated that they have no intention to foreclose on the property.
Pfost explained that he issued the bank with an unsafe building order back in July which included all of the necessary repairs and has yet to receive any kind of response.
Mayor Dennis Estok said his recommendation is that they need to get in contact with somebody at the bank so they can get permission to conduct a thorough inspection in order to assess exactly what should be done to the home.
He noted that there’s currently a tarp over the house due to roof issues and other apparent problems. He indicated that a thorough inspection should reveal whether the structure would be salvageable through repairs or if a demolition would be necessary.
City Attorney Autumn Ferch noted that there is an existing lien on the property and Director Pfost added that city crews have been maintaining the lawn.
Board of Works member Steve Dodge noted that there has to be somebody paying the taxes since the house hasn’t gone up for tax sale. Mayor Estok asked Pfost to look into who has been paying them and he confirmed that he would check into that.
