The Anderson Board of Public Safety voted July 14 to require the removal of an unpermitted container home at 1523 Arrow Avenue within 30 days and approved emergency demolitions for several other properties the board said posed safety or nuisance risks.

The board’s action came after Building Commissioner (staff) told the board the structure at 1523 Arrow Avenue “was turned in as a home. When it got set, it was a container home. It's not built in The USA. Doesn't meet any of our codes.” The commissioner said the permits for the structure had expired and asked that it be removed; he said he would convert the case to a demolition if the owner did not remove the unit within 30 days.

Leonel Suarez, who identified himself as representing Syracuse Investment Group and as the property owner’s representative, told the board the unit was a modular/container home and that contractors are on hold while the owner seeks the board’s decision. Suarez said delays from winter weather and a local contractor’s withdrawal had stalled finishing the work. He asked whether the building commissioner believed the unit could be brought up to code within a month.

The board approved a motion to require removal of the structure at 1523 Arrow Avenue within 30 days, with the chair noting staff would assist with the foundation once the structure was removed. The owner’s representative said removing the unit would take about a month if that was the board’s decision.

On separate agenda items staff sought and the board approved emergency demolition orders, citing repeated nuisance, trespass and safety problems at vacant or poorly maintained properties. Steven Foster, president of Miller Huggins Inc., described conditions at 1327 Central Avenue and urged an immediate demolition, saying recent problems included broken windows, trespassers, drug paraphernalia and vandalism. The board moved to solicit bids and proceed with an emergency demolition for 1327 Central Avenue.

The board approved additional emergency-demolition motions for these addresses after staff described ongoing problems, failed owner responses and safety concerns: 1412 Cedar (action to table for 30 days at the owner’s request to allow possible owner remediation), 806 and 806.5 East Twentieth (emergency demolition), 2400 Fletcher (emergency demolition), 2111 McKinley (emergency demolition), 2828 Jackson (emergency demolition), 2236 Park Avenue (emergency demolition). For several properties staff said prior orders, court proceedings or vacate orders had not led to remediation.

Staff noted demolition costs can vary; commissioners said typical commercial contractor pricing for a two-story demolition can run ‘‘up to 12 to 14,000’’ and one contractor quoted $4,500 for a specific job. Board members told residents and property representatives staff would put demolition work out to bid and follow required notification and permitting steps; staff estimated start times after bidding as roughly 30 to 60 days while following required procedures.

Neighbors who spoke at the meeting described repeated trespass, vandalism and unsanitary conditions at affected properties and asked the board to expedite work. Sherry Bevel, whose house and back apartment were placed on an emergency-demolition list, asked how soon work would start; staff replied bids would be solicited and the process typically took 30 to 60 days once notices are issued.

The board’s motions were recorded during the July 14 Board of Public Safety meeting; staff said the permits for the Arrow Avenue structure had expired and that the foundation could remain if the unit were removed.

Votes at a glance

- 1523 Arrow Avenue — motion to require removal within 30 days (convert to demolition if not removed): approved. (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as affirmative.)
- 1327 Central Avenue — emergency demolition and solicitation of bids: approved. (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as affirmative.)
- 1412 Cedar — action tabled 30 days to allow owner to work with building commissioner: approved to table. (owner present requested time.)
- 806 and 806.5 East Twentieth — emergency demolition: approved. (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as affirmative.)
- 2400 Fletcher Street — emergency demolition: approved. (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as affirmative.)
- 2111 McKinley Street — emergency demolition: approved. (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as affirmative.)
- 2828 Jackson — emergency demolition: approved. (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as affirmative.)
- 2236 Park Avenue — emergency demolition and affirmation that contractor will proceed: approved. (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as affirmative.)

Why it matters

Board members and residents said the properties present ongoing public-safety and quality-of-life problems — including trespass, broken windows, human waste and drug activity — and that repeated enforcement attempts and court actions had not produced adequate remediation. The board’s votes authorize staff to bid demolition work and move forward under the city’s code-enforcement process.

What’s next

Staff said they will solicit contractor bids and follow required notice and permitting steps; residents were told demolitions typically begin within about 30 to 60 days after bidding and notice, though individual timelines depend on contractor availability and permitting requirements.

Ending

Board members encouraged owners and representatives who said they wished to remediate properties to work with the building commissioner and to take advantage of the board’s offer to help coordinate permits and inspections. The board recessed routine business after the demolition agenda items.