The Fort Worth Building Standards Commission issued a series of orders on Sept. 28 requiring owners of several hazardous properties to either repair or demolish structures that pose safety risks to the community. The decisions, reported by the Fort Worth Report, affect properties across the city and underscore the commission’s effort to address deteriorating buildings that can harbor pests, cause fire hazards, or threaten public health.
At 4220 Frazier Ave., the commission declared a house and two outbuildings substandard after a city code officer documented fire‑compromised electrical systems, damaged roofs and walls, missing or broken windows, and extensive debris. Property owners John Baxter and his wife were given 45 days to complete repairs or demolition. The commissioners voted unanimously, 6‑0, to impose the deadline and warned that the city could demolish the structures and place the costs against the property if the owners fail to comply.
Another case involved a vacant house at 2607 NW 22nd St. Inspectors reported foundation problems, severely damaged exterior walls, a deteriorated roof, broken or missing windows and doors, and compromised electrical and plumbing systems. Owner Luis Javier Dominguez had already demolished an accessory structure and was recommended a 30‑day period to address the remaining primary structure.
At 8604 Heron Drive, a secondary building suffered rotted and collapsing beams, a bowing roof and a sinking foundation. Owner Chad E. Leatherwood told commissioners he had spent nearly $5,000 on equipment to lift the structure and intended to repair it. The commission ordered the structure repaired or demolished within 90 days.
The commission also addressed a nuisance case at 4517 Erath St. After 17 inspections, an administrative search warrant and repeated attempts to clear accumulated debris, city staff initially recommended a $4,400 civil penalty. Owner Donald Reed presented photographs showing recent clean‑up, leading staff to drop the penalty but still request a 30‑day order to remove remaining items. Commissioners approved the no‑penalty recommendation, contrasting with other cases where $4,400 penalties—calculated at $100 per day for 44 days—were imposed for continued violations.
For a vacant property at 5733 Farnsworth Ave., staff reported a compromised foundation, damaged roof, leaning exterior walls, broken windows and doors, water damage, exposed wiring, rodent infestation and biological growth. With no owner present, the commission was advised to declare the structure substandard and hazardous and to give the owner a 30‑day deadline to repair or demolish.
Commissioners emphasized that owners seeking more than 90 days to comply must submit a written action plan with specific timelines. The commission can consider amendments when owners demonstrate progress and need additional time, a practice that appeared frequently during the hearing as staff often proposed 30‑day deadlines while owners requested extensions to secure financing or hire contractors.
What’s next: Property owners with pending orders must meet the specified deadlines—45 days for the Baxters, 30 days for Dominguez and Reed, and 90 days for Leatherwood. Failure to comply could result in city‑initiated demolition and cost recovery against the property. The commission will review any amendment requests at future meetings, and residents are encouraged to report unsafe structures through the Fort Worth Report Documenters program.
Sources: fortworthreport.org
