Update on Dangerous Buildings
Our community thrives when our homes and streets are safe, inviting, and well cared for. However, when a property is left to deteriorate to the point of collapse, it becomes more than just an eyesore – it becomes a danger. Crumbling structures can attract crime, create safety hazards for children, and lead to health concerns such as animal infestations and unstable foundations.
Beyond the immediate risks, neglected properties also drag down the value of surrounding homes, making it harder for families to maintain their investments and build a future here. Every effort is made to work with property owners to encourage repairs, but when a house becomes too far gone and poses a real risk, the only course of action left is to remove the danger for the good of the entire neighborhood. Demolition is never the first choice, but it is sometimes the only way to protect or community. Our commitment is to a safe and welcoming neighborhood, where every family can feel secure and proud of the place they call home.
The properties that were demolished last week were addressed by not one, but two public hearings where the parties were allowed to present evidence and arguments. At those due process hearings, it was noted that the property owners had been contacted several times for more than a year about the dilapidated condition of their property. In each instance, the Board of Appeals unanimously approved orders to demolish these clearly unsafe buildings. City building officials placed copies of those demolition orders on each of the structures well in advance. At the time of the demolition, copies of administrative search warrants approved by the Pettis County Circuit Court authorizing entry onto each of the properties were also provided. All of the lots remain the property of their original owners. All of the open records related to this process are available to the public.
The City has been contacted by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding federal Environmental Protection Agency asbestos regulations. The City immediately and voluntarily cooperated with the DNR inquiry and has been in continuous contact with those officials during the cleanup process.
