Judge OKs church demolition
A Washington County judge granted the city of Washington’s request for a preliminary injunction and gave officials permission to demolish a former church to prevent further harm or risk to citizens.
Judge John DiSalle last week determined the Unitary Mission of America, 211 Grove Ave., has been unoccupied and unused for at least 15 years, and that it presents a serious risk to the health, safety and general welfare of city residents and passersby.
The property’s condition has caused “substantial and irreparable damage to the neighboring property, which must be corrected immediately to prevent further continuing damage,” the judge’s order states.
He ordered the mission be kept from making any further attempts to improve the property, although he gave the owners until June 9 to finish removing any belongings.
After that period, the city will be entitled to raze the building and remedy any problems that are causing damage to adjoining properties.
In April, Joseph R. Thomas, who served as administrator for the city between 1997 and 2002, complained to City Council that there have been problems with the abandoned property for years and asked that it be placed on the city’s demolition list.
He said that two years ago, an underground spring on the property caused water to flow into his house across the street. The city’s fire department pumped between two and three feet of water from his basement for several days. Now a sump pump in his basement runs constantly. Thomas told council none of the damage is covered by insurance.