[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=48379.11

3/4/2008 10:52:00 AM
Last Chance For Green Street Home

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - The city has granted what will likely be a final reprieve to the owners of a dilapidated Green Street home slated for demolition more than a year ago.

Doris Gast, who owns the home at 910 Green St., told the city's Board of Public Works and Safety Monday that the home has a new, $5,000 roof and that the majority of the inside has been gutted in preparation for remodeling.

City code inspector Russ Hatfield, who appeared before the board Monday requesting a 2006 demolition order finally be carried out, agreed to give Gast one more chance by inspecting the roof and the work done to see if it meets standards.

Gast told the board last month she had a signed contract with a potential buyer who said she'd buy the structure after certain repairs were made. She added the move should keep Hatfield from enforcing a demolition order first levied in October, 2006.

Hatfield said Monday he hadn't received a copy of the contract in which Gast said she was in possession, but relented after the board agreed to table the issue while Hatfield inspected the home.

"How can you tear down my house when it has a brand new roof on it?" she pleaded with the board. "There's still a Dumpster in front because they're still working on it."

While Gast claimed she's had a new roof put on the house, she couldn't tell the board who did the work and wasn't sure if the roofer obtained a permit from the city for the work.

Hatfield said no permit of any sort had been filed or granted for the property.

"Whoever the contractor is will be held responsible for doing the work without a permit," said Mayor Chuck Oberlie. "There are penalties for working without a permit."

Hatfield will report back to the board at its next meeting on March 17.

[JHeath]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=46511.75

3/18/2008 10:50:00 AM
Home May Be Saved From Wrecking Ball

Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - A run-down West Side home that has proven a thorn in the side of officials could soon be taken off the city code inspector's radar.

Russ Hatfield confirmed to the Michigan City Board of Works on Monday the house - at 910 Green St. - is being purchased on a land contract and has undergone several improvements required by the city.

The city has been fighting with the current owners of the home, James and Doris Gast, for more than two years in an effort to get the dilapidated house repaired.

Hatfield said the city issued a demolition order in 2006, but has been put off by the Gasts since then with promises of pending renovations. Earlier this year Doris Gast told the board that she had a buyer for the house and it would soon be improved.

Last month she told the board the house had a new roof and some improvements inside. Hatfield inspected the house and found it is progressing, but he said there's still a lot of work to be done before it meets city standards.

"They'll have to make sure everything's up to city code and ordinance, but they have done some things so far," Hatfield said. "If she stays on track ... When I see siding go up, that's when I'll be satisfied. I'll stay on it until I know everything's done."