Galesville to take next step toward razing home
The house at 16822 S. Fifth St. in Galesville was a topic at last week’s city council meeting as officials determine whether to proceed with an order to raze the property, which is owned by a company in California and is not currently inhabited but remains standing with boarded windows and garbage lying near the garage. (Times photograph by Benjamin Pierce
An abandoned home on Fifth Street in Galesville could soon be razed, or destroyed.
The Galesville city council last week discussed the property at 16822 S. Fifth St., which features a green home with boarded windows, stained siding and a garage that visibly spews garbage.
The residential property owner is listed as Note Agent, LLC of Sherman Oaks, Calif. and was estimated to be worth $78,000 in a 2023 assessment.
“One of our city guys went in there to take the water meter out, and he was very scared about falling through the floor. It’s not in very good shape,” Mayor Vince Howe said of the home on Thursday.
Multiple people spoke of the property at last Thursday’s meeting, which saw the council unanimously approve an inspection of the property. The council will need to vote again regarding whether to order the razing of the property.
City Clerk/Treasurer Jennifer Hess will send the property owners a letter regarding the inspection, and they will have a set time to respond. Hess said Thursday she believes the owners are receiving city communication.
Resident Richard Sacia spoke at Thursday’s meeting regarding the property and asked the council to take action.
“The thing is not fit for a man or beast to live in,” Sacia said. “So, it’s up to y’all to take action sooner than later to condemn it or get rid of it somehow to eliminate it from our neighborhood. Our property values are going down because of it, neighbors are appalled at the condition and it’s not really getting any better.”
Damage to the house must be at least 50 percent of its value to be considerable for razing, attorney Bruce Hart informed the council.
If the owners object, they will have time to make repairs within a set timeframe. If the repairs are not made in that timeline, the city council will then be able to vote to raze the property, the cost of which would fall on the property owner.
