East Chestnut--

Great photos. When did you take them? Was the poo at least cleaned up next to the garbage pile?

The home that's adjacent to the abandoned buildings is actually renter-occupied. It's likely the owner of that home has no idea his house his attached to such a decrepit sh_t hole.

So now that we have some addresses, faxes, phone numbers. What's the best way to handle this? Phone calls from concerned neighbors? Phone calls from lawyers? Letters from lawyers? Phone calls from the city? All of the above?

OK--
I called the number and spoke to a man named Miguel. He says that they're in the process of getting the proper permits to remediate the building for asbestos and a number of other things. He gave no explanation of why they haven't cleared the lot, repaired the fence, or secured the building. I pressed him on the issue, all he would say was that it was "in the works."

He also told me that WSG does not own the lot, but one of the principals in WSG is a partner in the company that owns the lot. He offered to put me in touch with a man name Jameel (Sp?) who might have more info, but claimed not to have Jameel's number. I am now waiting for a call back from Jameel, but I'm not holding my breath.

Next steps?

The poo probably disappeared with the rain or someone showed up with a garden hose and sprayed it off. I didn't see any.

I took the photographs just now.


I don't have an account with the BRT site, but the first thing we need to do is see if the owner of all the parcels (is this lot subdivided?) is current in their property taxes.

If they aren't current, then we probably could start a Phillyblog Donation Drive to come up with the deposit necessary to force a seizure of the land and the buildings; which will then force this lot to go out on the open market.

I live a few blocks north of here, so I'm not a "concerned resident", but I'm sure there's plenty of Hawthorne residents who want to see this crap disappear.

__________________
WHYY pays their CEO $750,000 a year. So WHYY should I renew my membership? Seems they have no problems finding money and spending it unwisely.


And this is why you should donate to PACCA, not PETA:

In September, PETA made headlines in Vermont and across the nation for asking Ben & Jerry's ice cream to use human breast milk in their ice cream, instead of cow milk

You don't need an account. Anyone can look it up. They are not only current, but paid a year in advance last year.

__________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that. -George Carlin

Call Miguel back and tell him he needs to find the owner of the property who holds the deed...

because you are interested in forcing the lot to go into Sheriff's Sale* and will take the property.


Trust me, you'll get contacted back quickly.



*If the lot is in default on property taxes, it can be forced into Sheriff's Sale. If the taxes are paid up, you can do nothing but complain to City Council and L&I.

The renter-occupied building next door has some legitimate structural damage to their structural wall on the west side of the building.

I would also try to find who the owner is and ask whether or not they are pursuing litigation against the owner of the adjacent lot for negligence.


This is all very serious. I would not want to live in the building next door... there is no telling where the fascia walls will collapse... and they could take out the building next door with them.

__________________
WHYY pays their CEO $750,000 a year. So WHYY should I renew my membership? Seems they have no problems finding money and spending it unwisely.


And this is why you should donate to PACCA, not PETA:

In September, PETA made headlines in Vermont and across the nation for asking Ben & Jerry's ice cream to use human breast milk in their ice cream, instead of cow milk

East Chestnut. Either you don't need a membership or somebody doesn't know I don't have one. All the parcels are owned by G an W. They seem to be paid up through 2007.

Can you post that information?


Ok, so the owner is paying up on taxes--so Sheriff's Sale is not an option.

Other than bitching to L&I about the 3rd building's walls... what other remedies are available?

All 3 structures need to be demolished. The one that is filled with trash has algae and mold on the outside (can only imagine what the inside looks like). I don't think any one of them can be saved, certainly not the collapsed building... it's only a matter of time before the brick walls begin to buckle of their own accord and collapse.

Ideas?

__________________
WHYY pays their CEO $750,000 a year. So WHYY should I renew my membership? Seems they have no problems finding money and spending it unwisely.


And this is why you should donate to PACCA, not PETA:

In September, PETA made headlines in Vermont and across the nation for asking Ben & Jerry's ice cream to use human breast milk in their ice cream, instead of cow milk

Am going to print these photos and take a walk to the L&I! Also am faxing copies of photos to our Councilman DiCicco, HEC, the sanitation dept, who else??

__________________
Is official am off the market. Am engaged to Dave

Go to BRT site, look up address, click on "view tax balances". Nothing tricky about it.

__________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that. -George Carlin

I hear the managing director's office is good at these things. Don't forget though, we're dealing with people who may well be out of a job in a week.

You should also fax the photos to the company who owns the place. Miguel did say he'd been up here, but I think it's a lot easier to let property fall to sh_t when you're not around to see it.

Incidentally, when I asked about plans for the lot, Miguel said they would just plant grass there. Yippee!