Pottsville officials asked Schuylkill County Court on Monday to award it possession of an abandoned and blighted property on Mahantongo Street in what they say is an effort to protect the neighborhood.
In their petition, city officials allege that the house at 1950 Mahantongo St., which is owned by William Winlack, Schuylkill Haven, already has partly collapsed and is a public hazard that needs to be demolished.
"The structure must be demolished and removed to prevent further collapse," the petition reads in part. "The (building) is unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use."
City officials asked the court to appoint it conservator of the property and schedule a hearing on whether to allow demolition of it.
Winlack, whom the city says is the owner, is a resident of Rest Haven nursing home, according to the petition.
Orange cones sit in front of the door to the building, which is a 2 1/2-story half-double house. The front porch railing is gone, the front windows are broken and parts of the siding are in disrepair.
City officials already have issued a demolition notice under the International Property Maintenance Code for the property.
In the petition, the city alleges the property is a hazard for numerous reasons, including:
- Building materials and trash are scattered around it.
- The building "is damaged, decayed and dilapidated," and the exterior shows neglect.
- Both doorways are in disrepair, meaning entry and exit are problematic.
- It has not been legally occupied for at least 12 months or actively marketed for 60 days.
As a result, the city and the surrounding neighborhood face trouble, the petition reads in part.
"Pottsville is threatened with immediate and irreparable harm because (Winlack) continues to allow (the property) to deteriorate, causing a concern as a dilapidated and unkempt building as well as a potential health hazard," according to the petition.
The danger to the neighborhood includes danger that the property will continue to deteriorate and be entered by unauthorized people, property values will drop, businesses will suffer, the danger of fire will increase for it and surrounding properties and the building is an attractive nuisance to children.
Demolition is the only realistic plan for the building, although the city is not certain how it will be done, according to the petition.
"Pottsville believes that the only feasible plan to rehabilitate the (property) is to completely demolish the building situated thereon for a cost of approximately $20,000," the petition reads in part. "There are no formally adopted plans for the area which the building is located. Pottsville is unable at this time to anticipate funding sources."