Fire-damaged buildings condemned by the city

More than three months after a fire gutted the former Half Note Lounge and damaged the Whole Note restaurant building next door, the city has condemned the two-story structures at M.L. King Boulevard and Douglas Street.

In a notice posted on the structure, the city said the buildings are “unfit for human habitation” and are “dangerous” to the public. Chattanooga city spokeswoman Marissa Bell said the building owners must now either fix the buildings, tear down the structures or appeal the condemnation.

The 5,200-square-foot building at the corner of Douglas and M.L. King Boulevard that once housed the Half Note was built in 1938. Next door, a 6,983-square-foot structure was built in 1978 as a night club for the Whole Note restaurant.

According to the Hamilton County Assessor’s Office, both buildings are owned by Dedra B. Partridge, who bought the properties in 1996. Partridge could not be reached Friday to see if she plans to appeal the condemnation.

An early morning fire on Feb. 9 destroyed most of historic Half Note Lounge, while the Whole Note next door suffered water damage during the ensuing effort to extinguish the blaze. No one was injured in the blaze.