The owners of this residence are continuing to let this building fall into disrepair and are possibly pursuing a "demolition through neglect". There has been substantial improvement to this structure since I moved within view of this building in March of 2013. This has led to the building becoming a public safety hazard for both the Near Westside and Prospect Hill neighborhoods.
Construction going on in back yard. No permit posted in an obvious place. Large excavation done against foundation. No supports in place and pit is dark at night. Drunks could fall in at night.
See case #186242. Not as much sewage right now due to tenants being on break this week, but the problem has not been corrected. Once it gets cold and the tenants return, the constant flow of sewage on the sidewalk will create an ice hazard in addition to the already present infection/contamination hazard. Please force property owner to correct the problem ASAP, and at least before winter. If the Planning is allowing him to build more (unneeded) rentals in the neighborhood (e.g., E. Cottage Grove), he should be required to perform at least some upkeep of the ones he is already responsible for.
There is a strong gas leak smell coming from the back of the house. We can smell it in adjacent yards and sometimes from the road. It was bad enough. We called the gas company who says that it is propane not natural gas and the smell was the leftover unburned gas coming out of the vents. This house should be using natural gas, so I believe that the furnace has been improperly modified and is using the wrong kind of gas. This is entirely without human supervision, because the owner does not live at this residence or in town.
Property appears abandoned, yard full from overgrowth. Vines go inside building, dilapidated, poses potential for hazard
Top course of stone on retaining wall being forced off by progressive yard expansion. One section has already fallen, blocking sidewalk and creating a hazard for pedestrians in the dark.
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.
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.
See case #188200. The section of the retaining wall along Lincoln is getting worse and it looks like it could fall any minute. Has anyone actually gone out to look at this? Why wait until it collapses before doing something about it?