Today's fire at at 421 Walnut Street rear / 423 Avenue G raises some interesting questions. As can be seen on the above photograph of a condemnation notice, the codes department had previously condemned the property, listing it as an "Unsafe Structure." (
Columbia Spy reported on this
HERE.) The notice prohibited occupancy beyond June 29, 2015, but the date was subsequently changed to August 2, 2015. At Columbia Borough Council's July 27, 2015 meeting of the whole, a tenant of the building told council that Robert Osborne, whose employment with the codes department was recently terminated, changed the date again, revising it to "Habitable to live in until further notice."
Columbia Spy is unaware of any further revisions to the notice. At the time of today's fire, four of the five apartments in the building reportedly were occupied. With the recent series of seemingly arbitrary revisions to the occupancy date, one wonders if the structure was truly safe for habitation.
The building is owned by Sam Bigler, who also owns several other properties in the borough, including the controversial structure at 208-210 Locust Street.
Comments
1. Thank God they finally fired the nut...
2. Pick and Choose
3. The slum lords are out of control.
4. Not all tenants are bad
5. Come on down to the First Block of Historic 2nd St
6. Then try the 100 block of Historic South 2nd,,, but look close,,, here you find a mixture, homeowners
7. Yo don't go no further
Poof
I'm now out and about.
Ave J between South 2nd and Bank Avenue is not to be forgoten.
Doctors orders.....
Lawyer advise???
Mmmmm