The city is cracking down on two downtown buildings, the 5 S. Main Street for structural problems to its exterior and Clarkston Mills at 20 W. Washington for remodeling work without permits.
The city gave an October deadline for repair work to crumbling stucco on the Walters Building, 5 S. Main Street, home of The Clarkston News.
“The stucco that covers the brick has lifted from the wall, due to a water problem. The building has been hit by cars, exposing the loose stucco,” said City Manager Carol Eberhardt in her report to City Council, Sept. 28.
The building owner has until Oct. 15 to fix it, she said.
“If he chooses not to respond the city will close the parking lot adjacent to the building because of safety concerns,” she said.
“I have everything and everyone lined up to do this work on our 1877 building,” said Jim Sherman Jr., owner. “I would like to thank the HDC (Historic District Commission), Jennifer (Miller) at city hall, and CES (Code Enforcement Services) for the help.”
The building department placed barricades around the back of the building on Sept. 14 after flagging it as dangerous due to crumbling stucco.
“The crumbling condition of the building could reach the point where it would be considered demolition by neglect,” the city manager said. “They will be going to the HDC first before obtaining building permits.”
The commission will meet on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. to discuss the issue, said Cara Catallo, HDC chair, at the city council meeting.
“Had the building been properly maintained, brick would not be coming off,” Catallo said.
A vehicle impact started one of the holes in the brick, which has since crumbled further. Other holes were opened by contractors probing the building’s structural integrity.
Clarkston Mills
The building department recently found extensive work has been going on in the Clarkston Mills building without permits over the last three years, Eberhardt said.
The city ordered a $5,000 deposit for building permits fees and fines, all architectural drawings, and a list of contractors.
The Mills owners missed a Sept. 15 deadline and Sept. 25 extension to provide the materials, and Eberhardt prepared a resolution for the council for Circuit Court action to have the building vacated.
Information was provided on Sept. 28, and council voted not to proceed with court action.
“We’ve turned the drawings in ? you have my undivided attention,” said Robert Roth, one of the owners, at the meeting.