Wednesday, April 24, 2024
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Fennimore Street House may be demolished
By Jeff Osborne
Senior writer & editor
A lack of progress in repair work at 308 Fennimore St. has prompted the Gatesville City Council to move one step closer to ordering the demolition of the house.
The house was identified as being a substandard structure in 2021. A Waco man, Dennis Berry, who was making repairs to the home was required to present a renovation plan to the Council in December 2021.
Since that time, although some work has reportedly been done, the project has not been completed. The Council originally gave Barry 90 days to complete repairs — the maximum it is able to grant by law, without later giving additional extensions.
Complicating the process is that the home is in the name of Berry's deceased mother-in-law, Adelia McDonald, and that his sister-in-law, who had been living there, moved out and reportedly did not stay in contact with Berry regarding her plans.
Last year, a letter was sent to McDonald's estate notifying those responsible that the "outside wall of the structure is buckling, the roof is sagging and there are broken windows," city code inspector Robert Featherston told the Council. He added that there is also rotten wood on the front of the house and the foundation is buckling.
Berry was asked to appear before the Council on Oct. 25 but sent an email that he would not be able to attend.
"That kind of holds true to form at this point," City Manager Bill Parry told the Council. "He appeared at the Sept. 27 meeting and asked to have until the end of November. Nothing has been done to the house since Sept. 27. You've given him way beyond 90 days. It will be a year in December.
"He's spent some money but there's no progress on plumbing. He's not here, so I'm happy to convey what the Council wants to do. You gave him until April and now at the end of October we're not making great progress."
Parry noted that although an electrical permit was pulled for work in January and a meter box was placed on the house "there's no electrical connection and wires are sticking out of it."
Council member Barbara Burrow asked what the next step is if the Council decided to have the structure demolished.
"You can reverse (the decision on giving him additional time) and tell (Berry) he needs to have it demolished by a certain time," Parry said. "He can appeal that in district court."
Mayor Gary Chumley noted that while the Council has been patient, that patience has its limits.
"How many last times are we going to give him?" Chumley asked.
"I thought we had given him that last time," Council member John Westbrook said.
In 2021, the structure was valued at $31,290, and the needed repairs were expected to cost at least $15,000 to $20,000. According to the Coryell County Central Appraisal District, the house was valued at $52,080 for 2022.
"The house is still in the name of (Berry's) deceased mother-in-law — I'm not sure he can sell or rent it," Parry said. "Do you want to see him again on the 15th of November?"
"I do not," Burrow said, asking the mayor to place the house on its Nov. 15 agenda so a demolition order can be given.
