Ypsilanti may ask court to order repair or demolition of Thompson Block building
The city of Ypsilanti is likely to ask a court to order the demolition or repair of the Thompson Block building, according to the Ypsilanti Citizen.
Assistant City Attorney Karl Barr told the Web site he expects to ask a circuit court to "abate" the Thompson Building at 400 N. River St. in Depot Town after the structure was severely damaged in a suspicious fire in September.
The city of Ypsilanti is asking the Thompson Block building owner to take action on the damaged structure.
Ypsilanti Fire Chief Jon Ichesco asked Thompson Block owner Stewart Beal in a Nov. 9 letter to destroy the building or permanently stabilize the structure to prevent its collapse.
In a Nov. 13 response, Beal wrote he had complied with the order. However, Ichesco believes the structure is still dangerous, and further action is required, according to the Ypsilanti Citizen.
From the story:
“I think it's going to play out once we get this filed and before the judge,” Barr said this afternoon. “I am hopeful but not optimistic that we can avoid taking this to circuit court.”
Beal was given temporary approval to occupy the roadway for 90 days and set up scaffolding to support the remaining structure shortly after it was engulfed in flames in the early morning hours of Sept. 23. Both the east-bound lane of Cross Street and north-bound lane of River Street have been closed since the fire.
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Comments
dading dont delete me bro
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 2:53 p.m.
historical board will take longer than the remainder of 90 days to approve of anything permanent...oh, is the historical board part of the 'city'...how ironic. another note, i see reward signs on the building? was anything concluded from this fire, obviously suspicious, but arson/no arson/inconclusive?!?!? there were some dumpster fires around that time. there was a fire at pinball pete's?!?!? any word?
a2grateful
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 11:09 a.m.
That Thompson Block building is definitely in a precarious position; it's tentacles of an historic district now deeply entrenched in the street.. It reminds me of a chess timer. Enjoy the match!
Ignatz
Wed, Nov 25, 2009 : 10:53 a.m.
I doubt that anything would have become of the structure in the near future before the fire. Now, it's pretty much a sure bet. Get rid of it.