Council takes action against city’s boarded-up buildings

Council voted 9-0 at its Oct. 13 meeting to amend the city of Springfield Building Code and require $400 permits for owners choosing to board up their older, vacant structures downtown. The permits are good for six months.

City officials say its a way to crack down on the number of eyesores downtown and help in revitalization efforts.

I think this is an excellent idea, said Councilman Ralph Manley, before registering his vote of approval. (Its) one way to help redevelopment.

The amendment is effective immediately; owners of existing boarded-up buildings have 180 days to acquire a permit or make necessary repairs, said Nick Heatherly, director of Building Development Services. Heatherlys department is responsible for inspections upon permit filings.

Before issuing permits, city inspectors must declare the building to be weather-tight with sound roof and wall structures. Also among the requirements, street level windows must have glass because they cannot be boarded up, according to the ordinance.

We have been doing some inspections like this already as a result of some other issues that have taken place, he said, citing collapsed floors and roofs. The feedback were getting has been very positive.

Buildings without a valid permit for more than 30 days will be declared a public nuisance, and the owner will be given a notice to abate the property. Should the owner fail to do so, the city will bring the property up to code at the owners expense, Heatherly said.

Council is targeting center citys historic areas. The initial enforcement area is bounded by Kimbrough, Elm, Grant and Water streets, and then heads north along Boonville to Commercial Street. The Commercial Street area is between Washington and Broadway avenues.

The decision reinforces councils pledge to preserve center city Springfield during revitalization efforts. It just happens to come at the expense of some owners of center city buildings.

They may make me pay once, but hopefully in six months I wont be having any problems, said Realtor Bob McCroskey, who owns buildings at 212 and 214 S. Campbell Ave. that are currently boarded up. He also is part owner of the vacant, former Busy Bee building at the southeast corner of Campbell and Park Central East, but said he is selling his interest.

McCroskey said he has invested $60,000 in the two South Campbell buildings since purchasing them in December. Plans to create two storefronts and two lofts there are progressing, he said.

Theyve inspected them before, its just that now they want to be paid to inspect them, he said.

Heatherly said that when historic structures threaten collapse, it becomes a matter of public safety. The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure for the public health, welfare and safety of the community that these buildings continue to stand up, he said.

The board of the Urban Districts Alliance approves of the ordinance.

Theres been considerable momentum already generated in the redevelopment of properties downtown. We feel like this would be another way to encourage development of those projects, said UDA Board President Rusty Worley.

Two members of the public spoke at a public hearing Sept. 29. Both were in favor of the amendment.

Nathan Webster owns a warehouse at 211 Water Street and Sidney Ray leases space at 210 S. Campbell, where she operates her gift-box business.

I think its excellent that you all are focusing on this, and I hope that the (fees) that are imposed go toward beautifying downtown Springfield, Ray told council.

City officials say the permit fees will pay for performing the inspections.

This is a fee to recover our costs, not generate revenue, said City Manager Tom Finnie.