Thread by @akronist

#Akron, I’m hereeeeee! It’s Benjamin Rexroad and I'm tweeting my notes from the Vacant Commercial or Industrial Building Appeals Board meeting held on 6.12.24 for #AKRdocumenters and @signalakron. They’re not live, but may contain some of my “in the moment” reactions.

Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any questions on the meeting or these tweets to [e-mail]

There are 2 types of cases presented to the board for review: commercial/industrial properties that the Housing Compliance Division recommends demolition & appeals of registration orders. Citizens can attend & speak about the properties. Here’s their link:
akronohio.gov/government/boa…

In connection to the work of the Vacant Building Board, #vacant buildings are required to be registered with the city. It’s a whole #ordinance and everything. For more info: akronohio.gov/departments/ne…

The last time I took notes at a Vacant Building Board meeting, @signalakron used MY notes to help write a story. (That’s pretty cool, right?) You can read it here:
signalakron.org/board-orders-d…

LOVE a meeting that starts on time! We started at exactly 9 am w/an approval of the minutes from the last meeting, but no role call. (How do we know who’s who?) We DID get a reading of the statement of procedure. I maintain that this is a good way to call a meeting to order.

Our first property is case number 0006-24 aka 1097 Bellows Street. The attached images are the property’s info from the Summit County Fiscal Office.

According to Jodie Forester, Sanitarian Supervisor, “there has been no compliance with orders issued against this property.” It’s vacant, vandalized, dilapidated, & not registered w/the vacant building registration. It's a safety hazard & public nuisance w/a list of repairs.

A man was sent from Little Ministries, LLC., the org that owns the property. He asked for an extension so they have time to speak w/counsel & address the concerns. However, he couldn't answer how the property got to be in this condition & doesn’t know much about it, in general.

Steve Dort (from @AkronFiredept) who was sitting with the board, mentioned that he stopped by the property and “it wasn’t secure, as of yesterday.” Forester added that if the extension is granted, one of the conditions should be that the property needs to be properly registered.

A board member asked for clarity: is this a request for continuance or an extension? What I understood: a continuance tables discussion for the next meeting. An extension requires that repairs on the property start. Even w/a continuance they can add requirements that must be met.

A continuance passed. However, 1097 Bellows needs to be secured, registered, & inspected. As a warning, a board member said that, b/c there's no August meeting, he would recommend against further continuances at the next one. Forester will provide owners w/the list of repairs.

Next up: review case number 0009-23 aka 259 Cross Street. Hmm… why do I know that property? THAT'S RIGHT!!! It’s because the case was part of the docket of the last board meeting I covered. You can catch up on the property's lore here: docs.google.com/document/d/1kp…

The repairs on 259 Cross Street have mostly been completed. Forester: “the only remaining repair would be to paint the exterior.” The owner was present to speak on behalf of the property. (Also attached is the tax info for the property.)

The long & short is: he said he’s having trouble w/the house next door. He feels it is in worse condition than his. He said that they are putting trash on his property, defecating next to his building, & breaking in. He’s afraid to go to the property b/c nothing is being done.

Forester: the Nuisance Department has an order to remove the trash. But she doesn’t believe that “the amount of trash that’s there would impede anyone from making the remaining repairs.” She added later that “the Housing Division does have orders on the house next door.”

A board member wanted to know if he can get the repairs done w/in 30 days. He said, “get those people out of there, I can.” He continued to express worry about them. He doesn’t want to get shot or beat up. His goal: rent or sell the property as quickly as he can.

In the end, he was given a 30-day extension with the requirement that the painting be completed and that there’s another inspection.

The meeting adjourned at 9:25 am. This concludes the #Akron #Vacant Building Board meeting for 6.12.24. The next meeting is 7.10.24, beginning- promptly- at 9:00 am. For more meeting coverage, check out akron.documenters.org

REMINDER: Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any questions on the meeting or these tweets to [e-mail]