The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
EYESORE ‘SURGERY’
Housing demolition continues by city crew
Another neighborhood eyesore was reduced to rubble July 20 when a city crew demolished the house at 1823 E. 29th St.
The two-story house had a walk-up attic and was a good sized structure, said Jason Graves, working crew leader for the demolition crew in the city’s Public Property Department.
Even so, Motor Equipment Operator Dominic Hryszczenko reduced the house to pieces in a matter of hours.
The first truck-sized trash container was filled with broken boards and bricks and more would be taken away July 21.
Also, workers knocked down a cinder block garage.
Home owner was Dale T. Hasick; the tax bill was to be mailed to an address in Auburn, Calif., according to Lorain County Auditor’s records.
“I think the guys are really kind of honing their skills and perfecting their craft.”
— Max Upton, director of the Lorain Building, Housing and Planning Department
The home was valued at $38,550 and the owner owed at least $16,508, according to auditor’s records.
The property is not the only one in the city with back taxes due.
Lorain has about 2,091 houses owing at least $1,000 for delinquent property taxes, said Max Upton, director of the Lorain Building, Housing and Planning Department.
Upton cited county auditor’s records for the figures.
At the beginning of June, Mayor Jack Bradley announced his plan to resume demolition of houses that were abandoned and dragging down property values and morale of Lorain neighborhoods.
The city crew so far has focused on houses that are relatively easy, meaning there are no hazardous materials inside or nearby buildings outside that might be damaged by an excavator or falling materials, Upton said.
He said he could not speak for the Public Property Department, but praised the workers for their assistance.
“I think the guys are really kind of honing their skills and perfecting their craft,” Upton said. “It seems like each house is coming down quicker than the house before it.”
As razing continues this summer, one house will get a reprieve.
Bradley has singled out the dwelling at 1038 W. Erie Ave. as a prominent one, sitting across the street from the American Legion Post 30 at 1112 W. Erie Ave., and on a major Lorain thoroughfare.
An excavator was parked out front to take it down.
But, Upton said owner Robb Wenrick has asked for time to restore the house.
The city administration will consider a temporary stay of demolition if the owner can invest in the building.
The administration’s objective is to improve Lorain’s housing stock.
Often, that happens through demolition.
But, if owners can renovate homes to make them livable, that helps city neighborhoods, Upton said.
“Yeah, that building’s been vacant for a long time,” he said. “If having that backhoe parked out front is what gets people moving in the right direction, that’s not a bad thing.”