Alderwoman Kacie Starr Triplett proposed a new bill to the BOA recently. Her plan calls for more accountability from the owners of vacant properties. I believe there was a bit of concern from the real estate community about calling attention to these buildings with signs. And for some buildings I see the point. We certainly don’t want to advertise the susceptibility of some properties. There is just too much risk that the copper, HVAC systems and millwork will be stolen from unprotected places. The intention of the sign is to give people access to the owners of the building, but I think the fear is that the sign will just advertise ACCESS. But really, do you think a sign in front of the building below will be the one clue to its vacancy?
Personally I am in favor of the bill. I would love to have immediate access to the owners of some of these buildings, simply to see if they’d be willing to sell it to someone with the intentions and means to improve it.
Dawn,
I cannot stand this building. I own a four-unit property at the corner of Nebraska and Pestalozzi and would appreciate some maintenance of the buildings directly behind mine…this one being the first on my list, then several more on Magnolia east of Nebraska. However, I am not in favor of the vacant building signs. Having copper stolen from three buildings that I own in 2008, two of them being occupied, I am definitely opposed to the advertisement. Now, that being said, my vacant building was under construction with obvious intent to restore it to something it once was. I agree that derelict property owners such as the one pictured, should definitely be targeted by the city using some form of legislation to put a stop to absentee ownership. People like you and me spend our lives to help neighborhoods like TGE and Fox Park. Then you have the other people who don’t care and leave their properties in utter ruin. I’ll never understand it.
While I agree with the goal, this law would end up being yet another in a long list of laws that end up affecting good property owners more than the bad ones. I agree that easier access to actual owners would be good though. The thing is, if actual owner (or official representative) addresses were recorded and checked up on as they are supposed to be, this wouldn’t be an issue. Nobody even calls people out for listing the actual property address as the tax address so they just keep doing it. There is no need to create a new law. We just need to enforce whats already on the books.
I agree, Matt. Unfortunatley, the city inspectors pick and choose who they’re going to target. If you have any money at all, you’re screwed. The building pictured has looked like this for years. Two of my buildings were cited this year for peeling paint on the basement windows. Jeez, seems kinda silly when the property directly behind me is caving in on itself. But you just have to paint the windows and pretend like you’re not pissed about it. God forbib you question the inspector about other derelict property. “Sir, we are discussing your building right now. Other properties are not your problem.” Oh really? Seems to me that derelict properties breed criminal activity and cause my tenants problems. They also make it difficult to market and sell my property. But they couldn’t care less. Thay want those windows painted, and if you question them they’ll make your life hell. Next thing you know twelve citations are in your mailbox. What a ridiculous game. And I’m stupid enough to play.