On Monday evening, Trenton’s building and nuisance board added two more locations to the city’s nuisance list. Building Inspector Wes Barone said complaints from neighbors drove both. One is the trailer home park at 120 Highland Street. Barone described two or three trailers as having the exteriors in bad condition. The other is 2315 Lulu Street, which Barone said has no utilities.
At the suggestion of Barone, the building and nuisance board voted to remove the certificate of a dangerous building from 412 East 10th Street. It had received this designation in 2018. Barone noted the owners had done considerable work to improve the house and were living there.
Having received notice of a certificate of a dangerous building after last month’s meeting, the owners of 2102 Park Lane attended the meeting last night with their son (Freddie Griffin), who explained work is ongoing regarding the porch. Once they finish, Barone told the owners to call him, and he’ll come out to look at the work.
The building and Nuisance Board advanced 500 East 8th Court to a certificate of a dangerous building, which will be applied to the deed at the courthouse.
The board moved 712 Harris Avenue to a public hearing next month.
A 30-day extension was granted as work has been ongoing at 2002 Lulu Street.
Six members of the building and nuisance board attended the meeting. Mary Axtell was absent.
In an effort to increase participation by owners in a cost-sharing demolition program, the Trenton Building and Nuisance Board is recommending an increase in the amount of money the city will spend. Currently, the City of Trenton pays 50 percent of the demolition costs up to a maximum of $2,500. The property owner is responsible for all costs exceeding the city’s 50 percent match.
The recommendation, which is to be forwarded to the city council, is that the maximum amount shall be increased to $3,500 but no more than half of the demolition bid for a specific location. The building and nuisance board is recommending offering a 50 percent match with the property owner to cover costs for removing any asbestos.
Building Inspector Wes Barone told the board that the city is seeing fewer and fewer owners sign up for the cost-sharing demolition program. He noted most who declined indicated it was due to the demolition cost being more than they were willing to pay.
It’s expected that the city council for the next fiscal year will budget $50,000 to cover the city’s share of demolition costs and the related portion of asbestos abatement.
How far that will go in terms of demolishing old structures will be determined based on bids for identified locations—those who sign a letter of intent to participate.
