By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A home on Parkview Dr. in Decatur appears to be, once and for all, facing sure demolition.
The empty structure at 1034 Parkview Dr. has been a pain in the city’s code regulations for some four years. Recent action by the board of works and safety, however, appear to have moved it to the doorstep of demolition.
At one time the building was slated to be in the Maumee River Basin’s flood buyout plans in Decatur. Then its owner died, the place went to his three children – Reuben Soto Jr. and two sisters – and eventually it fell out of the buyout plans.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) got a piece of the ownership action and began ignoring all attempts at contact by the city’s building and zoning department headed by Curt Witte.
There has been little contact with the three children who, Witte told the board, have no interest in keeping it. None of them showed up for a public hearing held by the board.
Meanwhile, “I’ve had a lot of complaints from neighbors down there,” Mayor Dan Rickord said.
At mid-September meeting, the wheels began turning toward demolition with the establishment of the public hearing.
When no family member attended the hearing, Witte recommended demolition and a 30-day notice for the family before the leveling would begin.
Board member Tyle Fullenkamp, noting how long the situation has been ongoing, said 14 days was enough.
So 14 says after the owners and the USDA are notified, the city will be free to – finally! – demolish the structure.
About the Author
