Building Declared Public Nuisance

A Main Street building in Marseilles — the only three-story structure in the downtown area — was officially declared a public nuisance Wednesday night by the City Council.

By an unanimous vote, the brick building at 430-432 Main St. was deemed a nuisance after a recent inspection by Police Chief Jim Hovious, who informed the council in an Aug. 13 letter that he found the structure to be in violation of several city codes.

In the report, Hovious said the property is used as a commercial business with retail store on the first level with apartments above on the second and third floors.

The property currently has two tenants, with one of those reportedly in the process of moving out.

Hovious deemed the west side fire escape to be unusable and unsafe, leaving only an east side ground-floor exit available. He said many of the suspended ceiling tiles in upstairs hallways have fallen because of water damage. In one apartment, he said it appears the tenant had moved, leaving his belongings and food behind.

“As a result, it is evident that mice and or rats have been in the apartment,” Hovious said in his summation.

“The cooperating tenant reports that she has a complete infestation of roaches and mice,” he added, saying he has also received multiple complaints concerning insects and rodents from neighbors of the building.

Commissioner Gary Lewey said the public nuisance declaration would allow the city to send in structural, electrical, plumbing and other engineers to evaluate the building for possible future condemnation.

Commissioner Bob Davis informed the council the CSX Railroad will be fixing crossings next month, which would require temporary street closures on Milton, Chicago, Aurora and Sycamore streets. Davis said traffic would be rerouted around these areas during the work.

Commissioner Jim Buckingham told the council that hydrant flushing is planned to begin next week and that the city was sorry for any residents’ inconvenience.

Buckingham also questioned the council about why the city did not receive money from the Spartan Race organization, which charged $10 per vehicle for parking on city property during last weekend’s event. There was no discussion by other commissioners.

In other business, the council:

• Appointed Logan Hoyte to the city’s Recreation Board.
• Approved home business license renewals for Underhill Taxidermy and Fantasy Costumes.
• Authorized a purchase contract for 1013 Catalpa St., a vacant lot the city would like to sell so the property could return to the tax roll.