Vacant house on North Main Street collapses; cleanup awaits city permit
The residence at 1251 N. Main St. collapsed last week. The property owner had applied for a demolition permit in April but did not receive it before the home fell down. The owner, Harry Hawkins, said he plans to clean the site up as soon as he receives a permit to do so from the city of Ann Arbor.
Lizzy Alfs | Contributor
What used to be a dilapidated house on North Main Street in Ann Arbor is now in ruins after property owner Harry Hawkins said it collapsed last week.
Hawkins owns the Hawkins Auto Body shop at 1251 N. Main St., which sits on a 1.1-acre parcel of land that includes the collapsed home.
Hawkins said the house was in poor condition for years, and no one was living there when it collapsed. City records show a series of vacant building inspection charges on the property dating back to 1991.
According to city records, Hawkins applied for a demolition permit for the residential property on April 15, but it wasn't issued before the house collapsed.
Ann Arbor Chief Development Official Ralph Welton said the permit was never issued because the water wasn't cut off to the property as requested. He also said the owner had been encroaching onto city property.
But Hawkins countered that the water has been shut off for months at the residence. He also said he had a large pile of brush from his property sitting on city property.
Now that the house has collapsed, Welton said the property owner is responsible for cleaning up the area after the city issues a permit.
Welton said as soon as the city verifies the water is cut off, the permit will be issued, which should happen in the next couple days.
The collapsed home is at 1251 N. Main St, across from Lakeshore Drive. It sits on a parcel that is surrounded on three sides by Bluffs Nature Area.
Screenshot taken from Google Earth
Hawkins said his main concern is to clean up the area as soon as the city will allow him to remove the debris.
“I’d have it cleaned up this week if no one was going to say anything,” Hawkins said. “It’s been an eyesore for the last two years and we want to clean it up. It’s my city too.”
As for future plans for the property, Hawkins said he has nothing in mind beyond making his property look decent.
“All we have to do is haul the junk away, refill the foundation, put some topsoil on it, and plant some nice flowers or bushes,” Hawkins said.
Lizzy Alfs is a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in English. She is also a news reporter for the Michigan Daily. Email her with events and news relating to Ann Arbor’s North Side.
Comments
sbbuilder
Fri, May 28, 2010 : 3:14 p.m.
These structures are incredibly dangerous. It's a wonder someone wasn't killed. Having done piecemeal deconstruction in the past, I have seen first hand the inherent instability of these structures once you remove the siding and interior plaster/lath. These buildings had little or no diagonal bracing, so when you remove large horizontal slabs like siding, or plaster, the structure has no lateral support left. And, when these buildings fall, you have no warning at all, they just crash down in a giant hurry. Like I said, it's very fortunate that people were not killed.
Stupid Hick
Fri, May 28, 2010 : 1:45 p.m.
Moose, don't give up! Too many sensible commenters like you leave and all that will be left are stupid hicks.
The Picker
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 7:07 p.m.
Moose, I thought you gave up?
Rasputin
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 7:15 a.m.
This place has been empty and gutted for the past 6 years and is about to "collapse": http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ann+Arbor,+MI&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan&ll=42.294834,-83.78088&spn=0.008999,0.01605&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.29491,-83.78089&panoid=mb8uBVjaXYWfuJO8QXo2Zg&cbp=12,84.86,,0,2.35 I pass by it everyday.
Rasputin
Thu, May 27, 2010 : 7:09 a.m.
The building just so happened to "collapse" after being gutted. Cheaper then applying for a demolition permit. Nice property, how about another park?
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 10:06 p.m.
Moose writes: "Without any facts Craig L believes Mr Hawkins (owner of several dilapidated properties it appears) version of the situation over that of Mr Welton and states his accusation as fact and uses it as a condemnation of government." Your assumptions with regard to my post are inaccurate. How you could draw those conclusions from what I wrote is baffling.
queenmom
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 8:52 p.m.
@Moose - thank your post and add education bashing to your list of commentors favorite past times! I was feeling like a lost voice in the wilderness, as I reached my limit for both annarbor.com's quality and the comments a month or so ago...this is the first I'd read in a while and am wondering why.
5c0++ H4d13y
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 8:22 p.m.
@John Frank Have retail food sales been going down every year?
Lokalisierung
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 4:43 p.m.
"I was refering more to it as kind of an ominous thing in a neighborhood, and you are right there are some nice houses there." Not very ominous...it's raised high so you can see anything back there.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
@ moose, I meant to say what you said, water treatment plant, not waste water, freudian slips even happen on here. I was refering more to it as kind of an ominous thing in a neighborhood, and you are right there are some nice houses there. I grew up on the south east side of town and I haven't been in that neighborhood since the days of high school keggars, but I thought you could get to the water treatment by turning off of maple.
Vivienne Armentrout
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 3:23 p.m.
Fascinating that this discussion moved to my neighborhood (Sunset area). The area north of Miller and west of Maple was township that had to be annexed because of the Gelman contamination so that they could have water. It was noted in the West Area Plan as being distressed and its storm water infrastructure has never been upgraded to city standards, among other things (the residents didn't want to be assessed for those improvements). But Maple at Dexter, just a little south, has been the site of several developments in recent years - Plum Market, Aldi, an Ahmos. Regarding the old filling station at Summit and Main: for many years a minister was advocating making this an ice cream stop where disadvantaged youths could find employment, but I gather there were many obstacles. I know that various First Ward councilpeople wanted to find funds to "fix" that corner. Maybe we should have made that a prerequisite of the Near North PUD (right across the street). Hang in there, Moose!
Moose
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 2:50 p.m.
For those who have no clue, yet continue to post, the City Water Treatment Plant is located on Sunset and Newport. It processes Huron River water for potable purposes. The Waste Water Treatment Plant is on Dixboro Rd, near WCC. The Waste Water Treatment Plant, processes and discharges waste water back into the Huron downstream of our drinking water intake. The Water Treatment Plant, on the west side of A2 is located in a very nice neighborhood of mostly single family homes for several decades. I seriously doubt that the proximity (less than 1 mile) of the Water Treatment Plant neighborhood has little effect on the far west Miller and Maple neighborhood. Much of that area's property is former township and has been neglected and underdeveloped because the politicians zeal for big downtown development and co-dependent relationship with the DDA sucks money away from other parts of city that could really use development and support. More bang for the economic buck in my opinion, but it's not flashy like big buildings downtown.
A2Writer
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.
@Moose: Great post. Thank you.
Tom Teague
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 2:18 p.m.
@Moose - Well said.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.
Once they put credit card readers at the pump gas stations really took a hit. Not having the customer come inside means they lost business on the things that were not being sold at a 1% margin. The maple/miller area is over by the waste water treatment plant, that might have something to do with why it is not being developed. The other thing is that if it were zoned differently, you might see a change. Moose, I agree with your perspective about some of the posts. I admit to being guilty of a little sarcasm now and again, which will be deleted at times and then other times not. I have also noticed that certain staff are more prone to removing posts than others.
John Frank
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 1:36 p.m.
Hey, Scott, supermarkets have been thriving for years on 1 percent margins. The viability of a "one percent business" depends on how often the inventory is turned: one percent a week is fifty-two percent per annum!
5c0++ H4d13y
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
@Ponycar "BTW: Anyone else notice the number of closed up gas stations proliferating lately? I guess the downturn hit them pretty hard! Hard to make money on 1% margins!" Retail gas sales have been falling steadily for years. That and the thin margin you note is driving a lot of stations out of business.
bunnyabbot
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 10:55 a.m.
sorry, but I drive by this twice a day almost daily. It had been boarded up and standing fine. Then for about a week before it collasped the boards came off all the doors and windows and yes as someone stated it was completely devoid of an interior. Helped or not, *cough cough* it was ready to come down
Ponycar
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
The Ann Arbor Jaycees. a young adult Leadership Training and Community Service organization, would LOVE to develop ANY of those properties into a nice clubhouse and Community Project center! Unfortunately, I suspect they're all way above what can be afforded! Donations anyone?;>) I'm guessing those properties on Maple are overpriced in this market, which is why they don't get developed. That plus the problem of tight bank funding for almost ANY development. BTW: Anyone else notice the number of closed up gas stations proliferating lately? I guess the downturn hit them pretty hard! Hard to make money on 1% margins!
Moose
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 9:38 a.m.
it's really sad that most of the regular posters here on annarbor.com take any and every and opportunity, regardless of how relevant or irrelevant to a topic, to not only bash liberals, democrats and local government but to further their own political agenda at the expense of furthering discussion. It's also sad that the moderators on annarbor.com allow this kind of small minded, silly, uninformed and often just plain stupid off topic talk while censoring comments that are often insightful, relevant and cast light on The first link from Scott Hadley who imagines that the new construction at Miller and Maple is an eyesore when it is far better than the old gas station that was at that corner. The property is new, the site is clean and yet he objects to it and thinks that it is an example of liberal government inefficiency. I suspect that more than a few properties along that corridor of N Maple and west on Miller could very well be in the township and his other links look to be new construction sites. The reference to the "eyesore" telcom poles is laughable. I also bet that along with others who think only ill of Ann Arbor would be the loudest complainers if a government worker (local public servant attempted to enforce the law on a private property owner. You can't have it both ways if one on hand you complain about government inefficiency then turn around and object to perceived governmental overreaching. We are all part of the system of self governing in this country and I bet that more than a few of the anti liberal, anti Ann Arbor whiners on annarbor.com, don't live here, don't pay local property taxes and have the gall to complain about those of us who actually DO pay those taxes, do live here and take part in local affairs instead of taking pot shots at people who live and work here. Do Not Taunt etc. uses his post to bash government inefficiency based on hearsay and not facts on the water supply in the building. Then praise is heaped on the private sector based on no facts and the perception that private business can do no wrong. All I have to say is "British Petroleum". Without any facts Craig L believes Mr Hawkins (owner of several dilapidated properties it appears) version of the situation over that of Mr Welton and states his accusation as fact and uses it as a condemnation of government. As I am an annarbor.com reader and occasional, and becoming less frequent, poster, annarbor.com is slowly becoming the place of lowest common denominator discussions by a few regular suspects with time on their hands, a computer and an agenda of bashing all that is associated with Ann Arbor, government, liberals and anything that does not fit their narrow world view. I give up.
Wystan Stevens
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 9:35 a.m.
Well, it's pretty obvious that the house has collapsed because the Argo Dam was not removed in time. If Argo Pond didn't lie right across the street, a constant reproach to public morals and the common weal, sending noxious vapors into the air we breathe, this house and a lot of other houses in Ann Arbor would still be tall and sturdy, and packed to the rafters with exploited student renters. Thank God for all the foresighted AnnArbor.Com commenters who have been warning us about the menace of Argo Dam!;-)
blahblahblah
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 9:11 a.m.
Mr. Hadley - Great work on the pictures! Maple/Miller is in a class of it's own by Ann Arbor standards. Here you have a great location - direct freeway access, strong retail demographics (including affluent suburbs to the north), fairly high traffic volume and now a soon to be full high school. Something is keeping the developers away here. Maybe it's the economy, maybe there are other factors at play here. The only recent development I have seen is the guy who decided to paint his house blue. I'm still waiting to see the maize trim however.
Ed Kimball
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 9:02 a.m.
@Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball: I agree that the city government was inefficient, especially if the water truly was shut off when the application was filed. But government has no monopoly on inefficiency. Have you tried to get service from Comcast or AT&T lately, just to name a couple? It's more a matter of size than type of organization that leads to bureaucracy.
Brad
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 8:10 a.m.
Maybe there's hope for getting rid of that Georgetown Mall after all! Just wait until it collapses.
krc
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 7:33 a.m.
Another step towards making North Main an attractive entrance to our city!
ronaldduck
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 6:58 a.m.
Oops, meant to say why does he NEED a permit.
ronaldduck
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 6:54 a.m.
Why does the owner a permit to pick up trash on his property? Oh, sorry I forgot about permit fee's. Silly me.
Diagenes
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.
The peoples republic of Ann Arbor under one party rule for the last decade is starting to look alot like Flint.
5c0++ H4d13y
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 6:42 a.m.
You wanna see some eye sores come up to maple between miller and M14. Under construction forever. Now can't lease. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ann+Arbor,+MI&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan&ll=42.297373,-83.778949&spn=0.008999,0.01605&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.294818,-83.78088&panoid=HB6IWrpzSlGsx6Zsa8q_ZQ&cbp=12,248.97,,0,4.04 Closed and cleaned up but no progress http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ann+Arbor,+MI&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan&ll=42.294834,-83.78088&spn=0.008999,0.01605&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.29491,-83.78089&panoid=mb8uBVjaXYWfuJO8QXo2Zg&cbp=12,84.86,,0,2.35 Local Dump http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ann+Arbor,+MI&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan&ll=42.296485,-83.781009&spn=0.008999,0.01605&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.296594,-83.781002&panoid=bq3BuxMhly4sI4YkWXFm7w&cbp=12,271.3,,0,3.44 Local Junk Yard. Rusting hulks in there. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ann+Arbor,+MI&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan&ll=42.296977,-83.781009&spn=0.008999,0.01605&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.297078,-83.781017&panoid=e0CYonIAs8q-0S-0rDHbUQ&cbp=12,274.73,,0,6.37 Open basement for years and finally built a house. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ann+Arbor,+MI&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan&ll=42.296977,-83.781009&spn=0.008999,0.01605&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.297078,-83.781017&panoid=e0CYonIAs8q-0S-0rDHbUQ&cbp=12,129.5,,0,3.84 This one is my favorite. DTE leaves their unused telephone poles everywhere. Keep an eye out in the city you'll see them everywhere. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Ann+Arbor,+MI&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Ann+Arbor,+Washtenaw,+Michigan&ll=42.295929,-83.780987&spn=0.008999,0.01605&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=42.295811,-83.780982&panoid=JLpleIIeJ8wZ6uTODtNodg&cbp=12,124.8,,0,6.27 That's all within 200 yards of each other.
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 6:02 a.m.
Here is one new article that sums up 'Government efficiency' wholly - Thirty days to shut off water? - permit sitting on a desk just waiting - blame the next guy - no follow with the client - 'I am not responsible' attitude. In the private sector, a manager would do whatever it takes to get that permit back out to user, lest a competitor do it faster. That would include working every day until the requirements for the permit were met, (even working after hours - God forbid), taking responsibility to get the water shut off, following up with the client to give them an ETA for the permit and frankly having a system in place that would get the permit requirements cleared in about one day or less. Governments need some competition to get their act together - some risk to keep the fire at their feet.. Speaking of Vacant-destressed property - what about the city owned properties around town? Some of those parking lots look like #$^%#.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 5:53 a.m.
"Ann Arbor Chief Development Official Ralph Welton said the permit was never issued because the water wasn't cut off to the property as requested." "But Hawkins countered that the water has been shut off for months at the residence." Somebody isn't telling the truth. It seems to me if the water wasn't shut off there should be plenty of water seeping out of the debris after the house collapsed with the plumbing lines full of water under pressure.
Robert Honeyman
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 5:41 a.m.
"how do you make a flood?"
Vivienne Armentrout
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 8:59 p.m.
The staff followup on this story is an example of the excellent interactive journalism that AnnArbor.com is providing. Thanks.
blahblahblah
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 8:26 p.m.
I'm not an engineer, but looking at the picture it would appear to have been a pretty orderly cave in. Bet the owner saved some demolition, permit and insurance costs by this act of "nature". Speaking of eye sores, what about the scrap yard and old buildings across the street on Main next to the New Center? I would have thought some developer would have tried to do something with that prime location by now, being on the Huron River and all.
David Cahill
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 7:47 p.m.
Amazing! I didn't know a house *could* collapse all by itself.
The Picker
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 7:24 p.m.
Sorry Moose! I didn't notice you had already expressed my thoughts.
The Picker
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 7:20 p.m.
Let's hope the old gas station/eye sore on the corner of Summit and Main is the next to fall!!!!! Its inexcuseable that the city would allow this abandoned nusiance to make fools of them for so many years. Clean-up this corner!!!!
a2baggagehandler
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 5:56 p.m.
" He also said the owner had been encroaching onto city property." Oh the humanity.
Moose
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 3:57 p.m.
It appears that what the city attempted and failed to do for at least the last decade, natural causes took care of in short order. The City of Ann Arbor, particularly the City Attorney's office has been lazy, neglectful and ineffectual in it's enforcement of local abandoned and dangerous building ordnances. Now let's hope for a strong wind to knock over the decades long abandoned gas station a block south of Mr Hawkins property on N Main.
WriterLeft
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 3:20 p.m.
So what is Hawkins track record on his other properties in and around Ann Arbor? Was he ever cited by the city for not taking care of his properties? Ann Arbor has more abandoned houses than before - and property owners need to be held accountable for their condition and keeping their neighborhoods safe.
Eric S
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 2:44 p.m.
I've been watching that house as I've been driving by and had noticed that it was completely gutted for a couple weeks before it collapsed with all plaster, windows, etc. removed. How did that happen if he didn't have a demolition permit?