The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
City tears down next house
Cromwell Drive residents were greeted with the sound of machinery munching on wood frames and concrete July 14 when a city crew took down a house there.
The city of Lorain Building, Housing and Planning Department continued its demolition program for derelict structures this week, with assistance from workers in the city Public Property Department.
A city crew used an excavator with a claw attachment to knock down the structure at 3037-3039 Cromwell Drive, which had fallen into disrepair.
It appeared the Cromwell Drive neighborhood, south of Colorado Avenue on Lorain’s east side, generally had duplex houses used for rental properties, said Max Upton, director of the Building, Housing and Planning Department.
Many of the houses were occupied and some were very well maintained, Upton said.
But the house at 30373039 became another example of a property dragging down a neighborhood, he said.
Based on urban studies, it is clear that empty, open houses can lead to higher instances of crime, illegal drug use, sexual crimes and violence against women, Upton said.
“This building coming down makes this neighborhood safer,” he said.
That is what the city administration is after, Upton said.
By 1 p.m., the city crew had filled a truck-sized trash container with debris such as broken boards and insulation.
More was piled up and awaiting disposal, along with concrete that served as a walkway to the front entrance.
The house was valued at $59,500, according to Lorain County Auditor’s records.
Owner Pehllvan Mehmet of Ladera Ranch, Calif., owed at least $16,226 in back taxes, according to auditor’s records.
Demo board canceled
The latest razing at 30373039 Cromwell happened the same day the Building, Housing and Planning Department announced the cancellation of this month’s meeting of the Demolition Board of Appeals.
That meeting postponement does not mean the tear-downs will stop, Upton said.
“We’re still moving full speed ahead with demolition,” he said.
Rather, the city staff working on the demolitions did not have time to compile the needed information for the meeting this month.
Before an address lands on the demo board agenda, city staff must do legwork including search warrants, inspections, title searches and notifying the owner of impending action, Upton said.
There is more study and paperwork involved if a home may contain asbestos, he said.
All of those steps take time, Upton said.
Due to the paper trail needed for each house, the staff this month could not prepare an agenda for the Demolition Board of Appeals, he said.
More to come
At least nine more homes are on the target list for demolition this summer.
This month, the Department of Building, Housing and Planning published a notice seeking public comments by July 20 about future tear-downs.
That notice was necessary because some of the buildings contain asbestos and the city will use federal government funding to remove the structures, Upton said.
The houses are:
• 217 Iowa Ave.
• 1503 Reid Ave.
• 2438 Lexington Ave.
• 920 Euclid Ave.
• 312 W. 26th St.
• 223 W. 23rd St.
• 2747 Surf Road
• 216 E. 31st St.
• 2133 Elyria Ave. Anyone who wishes to comment on the homes should contact the Department of Building, Housing and Planning, Lorain City Hall Fifth Floor, 200 W. Erie Ave., or call 440-2042020.
Coming soon
Lorain contractor American Demolition has parked an excavator outside the home at 1038 W. Erie Ave.
City crews have begun taking down houses, so far, mostly focusing on smaller, single-story buildings or those set away from other neighboring homes.
The West Erie Avenue house is two stories and sits closer to neighboring properties, so American Demolition owner Don Buchs has offered to assist taking down the house, Upton said.
The city staff are awaiting the final go-ahead for the razing.
Mayor Jack Bradley has cited that house as an example of a rundown structure that is highly visible on a major roadway of the city.