'Unsafe' abandoned building still causing problems for neighbors

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin approved the demolition of an abandoned building on Old Koenig Lane, just north of Lamar Boulevard, in April, but the timeline of when it will actually get torn down is in flux.

Encampments have popped up and neighbors have reported an uptick in crime nearby, as well as visible illicit drug activity in and around the property itself.

"Those buildings, being empty as they are, they've attracted a lot of folks that are doing a lot of drugs and things I'd rather not have right here in the neighborhood," said Travis Jordan, who lives nearby. "I'm concerned for my kids, we go that way to school, a lot of kids walk by there."

The property is across the street from McCallum High School and next to a daycare.

Brentwood residences have created a neighborhood watch in response to the activity. You can see the letter of concern they sent to elected city officials below.

That letter cites previous KXAN coverage of a fire at the building in March. The fire department said a person experiencing homelessness caused the fire.

City: Property owner misses deadline to complete demolition

In the beginning of May, the Building and Standards Commission provided the property owner with a notification that began a 45-day window for them to acquire permits and complete the demolition and subsequent inspection, according to the City's Development Services Department.

"As noted in the order, since that timeline has passed, the City is now authorized to proceed with the demolition process," the department said in a statement. "The next step in this process is to issue a letter to the property owner notifying them of Failure to Comply with the BSC Order. "

The City is issuing that letter this week, the department said. From there, if the property owner still does not do anything, the "capacity for the City to move forward with the demolition process will depend on available funding."

There is no current timeline as to when the city will be able to tear down the structure.

The Building and Standards Commission noted 15 official complaints about the building over the course of about one year, and the City has previously told KXAN it's "aware of concerns relating to the substandard structure.'

Commissioners noted safety concerns at the public hearing addressing the demolition. An attorney speaking on behalf of the property owner asked for the standard 45-day timeline to get extended to 90 days. The majority of commissioners moved to deny that claim, citing safety concerns from community members and the Austin Fire Department.

The property owner's attorney said the owner wants to demolish the buildings and tried to last year, but some "glitches" prevented them from doing so.

Austin's Development Services Department said the property owner is still responsible for the costs of the demolition as outlined below via the Building and Standards Commission:

The Commission ORDERS on the forty-sixth (46th) day if compliance is not achieved: 

a. the Code Official is authorized to proceed with demolition and, to consider all portions of the commercial structure including any items in and around the structure, as debris, and dispose of as such; and 

b. the property owner shall be on notice that the Code Official is authorized to assess all expenses incurred against the property unless exempted by the Texas Constitution. A lien for those expenses may be filed by the City of Austin and recorded with Travis County Deed Records. Interest shall accrue at a rate of 10 percent per year from the date of the assessment until paid in full. 

City of Austin Development Services Departmeny

As this scenario plays out through the complexities of city politics, neighbors have a simple message.

"I would like to see the buildings cleared off," Jordan said.