Demolition of Lynn home out for bid

LYNN – A Boston Street home that’s been called a blight on the neighborhood is destined for demolition.”The property owner has not been playing ball for years,” said Ward 5 Councilor Brendan Crighton. “I’ve been dealing with this since I first came on the council.”Boarded up windows are the only outward sign that the pale yellow house that sits back slightly from the busy roadway is abandoned. The property is otherwise neat and empty of debris, but that hasn’t always been the case.Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan said the property owner first came under fire in 2008 when he made changes to the home without proper permits, and that violated the city’s building and zoning codes. Then there was an actual fire, he said.After the fire Donovan said the owner “boarded up the property and walked away.”After tracking him down, Donovan said the property owner claimed he was having difficulty with his insurance company.”At that time a lot of people were having problems with their insurance companies and mortgage companies, so the city wasn’t push, push, push,” he said.Since then the property has racked up $4,265 worth of code violations that have gone unpaid and the property has continued to deteriorate.”A rodent issue came up and the whole place just takes down the quality of the neighborhood,” Crighton said. “I’m sure there are probably health and safety issues, and I think a lot of the residents will be relieved when it comes down.”Crighton actually credits the neighbors with keeping him on top of the situation.”This was really commanded by the residents,” he said. “They came down and testified when we had a hearing. It’s helpful to have eyes on the ground.”Donovan called the property ripe to be torn down and doubts that the city would allow anything to be built on the site in the future. It sits very close to the home on the south side of the property and it’s close to the home behind it on Strawberry Avenue.”He had a year after the fire where he could have rebuilt according to our zoning laws,” Donovan said. “I doubt that he’ll do anything with the property. It’s my understanding that even the bank doesn’t want it.”According to Patriot Properties, Peter Osazuwa owns the property and Donovan said even after the house comes down he will still own the land. Demolition bids are due Jan. 30. Once Donovan chooses a contractor he will go to the City Council to request funding to demolish the property.”Then we’ll send a bill to the owner and if he doesn’t pay in 30 days the city will put a lien on the property,” he said.This is not the only potential demolition Donovan is grappling with. The council issued a demolition order for a multi-family home on Mariana Street in November. Donovan said he believes all the tenants have moved out and next they’ll inspect the property for lead paint, asbestos, oil in the basement and other hazardous materials that might need to be abated before demolition can take place.”But let’s get through (Boston Street) first. Then we’ll deal with that one,” he said.Chris Stevens can be reached at [email protected].