The City of Abilene Board of Building Standards on Feb. 5 ordered owners to demolish two fire‑ or hazard‑damaged structures or appeal the board’s decision to district court within 30 days, and directed repairs or repair plans for three additional properties after staff described each as a public nuisance.

The board found the accessory structure at 1401 Cypress Street and the heavily fire‑damaged house at 5217 Tayos Drive to be hazards to public health, safety and welfare and ordered demolition if owners do not appeal. Jessica Marshall, who said she occupies the primary dwelling at the Cypress property, told the board, “I want it torn down,” and said estimates she received for removal ranged from $12,000 to $20,000 but that she cannot pay up front.

Ricky Wright, property maintenance inspector for the City of Abilene, presented staff recommendations for each case. “The staff recommendation at this time is to find the property as a public nuisance and that it is a hazard to the public health, safety, and welfare, and repair of the structure would be unreasonable,” Wright told the board for multiple cases.

Why it matters: board orders clear imminent threats and set short deadlines for owners or heirs to respond. If owners fail to comply or to appeal within 30 days, the city may demolish and place a lien for costs, a step board members said is aimed at protecting neighbors and busy thoroughfares where some structures are highly visible.

Key outcomes and details

- 160 Ruby Street (case 23‑004102): The owner, Jeffrey D. Flanagan, told the board he has estimates and is arranging bank financing. The board voted to order the owner to provide a plan of action, including a time frame and cost estimates, within 30 days, obtain all permits, and if the plan is submitted, the owner has 60 days to obtain rough‑in inspections and must complete final inspections by permit expiration. Motion by Mister McBrayer; second by Mister McNeil. Roll call: Allred, McBrayer, McNeil, Turner, Dugger and Beard voted yes; motion passed.

- 2970 S. Sixth Street / Armstrong Electrical Supply Company (case 24‑000130): Staff reported no substantive change since prior hearings and that the business entity appears forfeited; no motion was taken and the case was continued for follow up next month.

- 742 Chestnut Street (case 24‑004056): Heirs and family members described disputes over title and unwilling heirs; family members provided repair estimates (one cited roughly $250,000). The board ordered the owner(s) to provide a repair plan, cost estimates and permits within 30 days, with 60 days to obtain rough‑in inspections and final inspections to follow. Motion by Mister Dugger; second by Mister Turner. Roll call: unanimous; motion passed.

- 1401 Cypress Street (case 24‑006291): Staff said the accessory structure met condemnation criteria, and the daughter occupying the main house said she cannot afford removal but wants the secondary structure torn down for safety reasons. The board first declared the structure a public nuisance and found repair unreasonable; the board then ordered the owner to demolish or appeal within 30 days. Motions by Mister Allred (declare nuisance; demolish order), second by Mister McBrayer. Roll calls: unanimous; motions passed.

- 5217 Tayos Drive (case 24‑006450): Staff described major fire damage from Dec. 19 (staff cited a fire‑department estimate of about $50,000) and said notices were posted and attempts to contact the owner were unsuccessful; the board declared the property a public nuisance and ordered the owner to demolish or appeal the order to district court within 30 days. Motion by Mister Turner; second by Mister McNeal. Roll call: unanimous; motion passed.

Discussion, appeals and next steps

Board members repeatedly emphasized the limited remedies available to the city once a building is declared unsafe: either the owner completes repairs that meet building‑permit inspections or the owner must demolish, appeal the board order in district court, or face city demolition and a lien for costs. For properties where ownership or heirship is contested, board members and staff said title issues will need to be resolved before repairs can proceed.

The board closed the agenda after the final vote. Owners and interested parties were told they have 30 calendar days from receipt of notice to file an appeal in district court under the board’s stated procedure.