open #192611
Unsafe Buildings
1003 W Howe ST
- Case Date:
- 7/31/2024
Roof caving in, floor caving in, rats, abandoned cars, excessive growth,
Roof caving in, floor caving in, rats, abandoned cars, excessive growth,
The roof of this house has holes as large as beachballs, with racoons coming and going through them. Check the SW corner of the roof.
West end of the retaining wall on north side of the property (Cottage Grove side) has degraded so much so that the capstone is no longer supported by underlaying stone and could fail if any significant pressure is placed on it, such as someone sitting or stepping on it. It is adjacent to the former driveway.
A few of the capstones on the retaining wall out front are precariously hanging close to the edge as a result of long-term, hydrological processes. They look like they are about to fall, especially if someone happens to sit on the wall at that place. Owner of this property is the same as 322 E. 12th, the one with the dangerous sidewalk. He is an out-of-state, absentee landlord who doesn't care about the neighborhood or safety in general. If he is going to be required to fix the sidewalk on 12th, please also require him to attend to this retaining wall. One of the capstones has already fallen and broken. Someone just picked it up off the sidewalk and placed it back on top of the wall without mortar.
Occupants have been erecting numerous structures made of pallets, wood, and tarps throughout their property for several weeks. The backyard seems completely full of these shanties. Their "construction" continues throughout much of the evening many days of the week, often extending to 10:00pm or later. The banging and power tool noise is a nuisance and the many structures they are creating seem very unsafe, especially for the children that are seen/heard playing there.