The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Board orders netting for facade
Demo Board says Eagles Building needs net to stop falling masonry; other structures condemned
Lorain Fire Assistant Chief Greg Neal cast the dissenting vote and questioned why the city would order the barricades instead of ordering repairs.
The Eagles Building, 573577 Broadway in downtown Lorain, needs a net over it to stop exterior masonry from falling onto the sidewalk below, according to a ruling by the Lorain Demolition Board of Appeals.
But, the goal is to restore that building, not demolish it, said Max Upton, director of Lorain’s Building, Housing and Planning Department.
Meanwhile, the Demo Board also condemned five buildings, including three in South Lorain, during the Aug. 12 meeting.
Eagles Building
The Demo Board voted 3-1 to give owner Keokuk Constructions LLC 30 days to install protective netting across the front and sides of the building.
Housing Rehabilitation Administrator Greg Landry presented his report and photos showing cracks in bricks and pieces crumbling on the stone facade.
There also appear to be waves in the brick sides of the building, Landry said.
The ownership group, a company owned by Lorain businessman Gary Davis, has put up orange plastic warning markers and caution tape around the front of the building.
It blocks pedestrians moving across the new sidewalk in front.
Upton said the Eagles Building is a beautiful structure that the city want to see restored to its former glory.
Lorain Safety-Service Director Sanford Washington, Chief Electrician David Velez and Surveyor Doug Hasel voted for the netting.
Lorain Fire Assistant Chief Greg Neal cast the dissenting vote and questioned why the city would order the barricades instead of ordering repairs.
The Demo Board has the authority to order the netting, but enforcement of the city building codes is outside its jurisdiction, Upton said.
The building is historic and ordering a demolition could be more difficult, said city Assistant Law Director Don Zaleski.
The deterioration of the facade has gone on several years, Neal said, and he argued the net barricade would not be safe.
Buildings condemned
The Demo Board condemned the following buildings:
• 606 E. 28th St. Owner National Lumber Co. owes $566.90 in back taxes.
• 2076 E. 28th St. Owner FGSK Properties LLC owes $3,025.26 in back taxes.
• 2925 and 2931 Grove Ave. Owner FGSK Properties LLC owes $256.14 in back taxes.
• 2941 Grove Ave. Owner Lawrence W. Neubert owes $7,457.71 in back taxes.
Landry presented various inspection photos showing the buildings in poor condition at best.
There are holes in the roofs and walls, collapsed ceilings, missing electrical connections, mold growth and general accumulation of junk and debris.
The connected buildings of 2925 and 2931 Grove Ave. sit next to the former El Patio restaurant demolished in February 2020.
Getting rid of those buildings would reposition 6/10 of an acre on a hightraffic corridor of the city, Upton said.
Old business
The Demo Board:
• Ordered 516 W. 15th St. to be removed from the knock-down list. The home has been restored.
• Extended the restoration time for 809 Harriet St. Owners James and Kalena Byrd said they are renovating the house, but have delays with contractors due to economic effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
• Ordered staff to notify owner GNM LLC the company must demolish the indoor junkyard at 2261 Homewood Drive, which also uses the address 3725 Grove Ave. The company has not been cleaning up the site, according to the city staff.
• Ordered demolition of 1038 W. Erie Ave. Owner Robb Wenrick has painted three sides of the house, but now is six months past a February deadline to make the house livable, Upton said.