3620 Clifton Avenue – Part Two

I am not employed by the City of Lorain in any way, shape, or form.
I definitely am NOT a building inspector. I do not know the individuals who own this property, nor do I have any personal issues with them.

I am a Lorain blogger with a vested interest in the improvement of my city.
This blog belongs to me and I speak for myself. I am trying to understand what criteria the City of Lorain uses to decide who gets a second chance to rehabilitate their property and who doesn’t. Apparently, all I have to say is that I have some money (I don’t have to prove it) and show the city my plans and that’s good enough.

Yesterday was the Demolition Board of Appeals meeting at City Hall. I was about a half hour late and missed five of the six appeals, one being a review of the plans for 3620 Clifton. I was disappointed to find out that this house has been given yet another stay of execution. A second second chance.

According to this article, “…owners of 3620 Clifton Ave. will get another five weeks to make repairs to that South Lorain home. For a second week, the condition of the structure sparked the most discussion in the demolition appeals board meeting.”

I had gone by the house on Tuesday and was surprised to see they had started on the exterior. Click on any of the following images to see them bigger, if you dare. 😀

This house sits on a slab and has foundation damage on every side.

Back

Side

to the left of the gas riser

(other) Side

Front

It is my understanding that the owners of 3620 Clifton presented an acceptable plan to the Board and will have to bring proof of progress to the next meeting on February 28th.
I will be there.

The only way the Building Department knows if these serial second chancers are completing the work to code is if they report back to say the work is done and request an inspection. The Building Department can only drive by and look at the outside of the house from the public sidewalk or an adjoining property (with the owner’s permission). As long as the outside looks good and the house is secure, there’s nothing else the Building Department can do unless they are invited inside by the homeowners. That needs to change. Stop the repeated prostitution of problem properties in Lorain. Break this vicious cycle before it completely breaks this city for good. It’s time, Lorain. We need point of sale inspections and an effective property inspection and maintenance program implemented immediately. Take a cue from other Northeast Ohio cities that are also full of older housing and building stock.

From this post:
More noodling around in search of point-of-sale inspection information led me to the City of Cleveland Heights website and their Inspectional Services.

Not only do they have all the requisite residential inspections, “Commercial properties require an inspection involving the interior and exterior of the property and are conducted every three years. Inspectional Services notifies the owner of the building when inspections are to take place.”

Imagine what our downtown could look like if we could get the property owners to address the items on this inspection checklist that are relevant to their property/ies.

Vacant buildings must be registered with the city.

Out of county property owners must register and designate an in-county agent.

“Owners of real estate in Cleveland Heights, including single-family and two-family dwellings, duplexes, apartments, condominiums and commercial properties, are required to obtain a Certificate of Inspection (Point-of-Sale) prior to entering into an agreement to sell a property. Sellers must provide the prospective purchaser with a copy of the original Certificate of Inspection (valid for one year from the date of issuance) and Certificate of Compliance (if available) prior to the execution of a contract of sale. Cost for the Point-of-Sale Inspection is $150.00 for the first unit and $50.00 for each additional unit. For example: a two-family residence would cost $200.00, a four-unit apartment building would cost $300.00.”

Stay tuned…more updates to come…