Blighted Ann Arbor house demolished
Previous story: Ann Arbor races to tear down bank-owned house before it collapses
Demolition crews made quick work of a home in central Ann Arbor that city officials determined this spring would have to be torn down before it collapsed.
1480 South Boulevard on Thursday morning.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The work was nearly started Thursday morning at 1480 South Blvd., but a series of delays — including one caused by a water meter left behind after other utilities were shut off — threatened to push it back to Friday.
Instead, the bulldozer operator fired up the engine and made quick work of the demolition, starting in the middle of the building and letting the pieces fall in until the structure was down.
"It's like packing a garbage can," said Jim Mills of Blue Star Demolition in Warren.
By Friday morning, the debris from the house and garage had been cleared away, while Mills said neighboring properties were untouched by the effort.
The work followed a neighbor's complaint to the city that the house appeared ready to collapse due to the deteriorated foundation and exposed basement on two sides of the home.
That call reached the city's building department in early March, and the city drew owner Fannie Mae — the federal mortgage insurer that was left with the property following a 2011 foreclosure — into the solution.
Ralph Welton, the city's chief development official, had hoped to have the house demolished within weeks.
"It went a little longer," he said.
But he also added that Fannie Mae's cooperation made the process easier and let the neighbors see a faster resolution than if he'd had to go to court or take other measures.
"They moved on it very quickly," Welton said.
The property on Friday.
Paula Gardner | AnnArbor.com
A Fannie Mae official on the site Thursday was not able to comment on the next steps for the property, and a federal spokesperson wasn't available to comment on what will happen next.
Welton said he believes the land will be listed for development once the basement is filled in and the crews leave the site.
"They know Ann Arbor is a town with good quality land values," he said.
Comments
motorcycleminer
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
Agree with smokeblwr....That trash house on Hill @ Greene complete with it's dead car makes the one they tore down look like new construction, ..funny how here in OZ you have a week to get rid of graffiti..and that place has looked the same for 20 years ..looks to me like " blind eye " is alive and well ...like to know the story behind it..
Jenny
Sun, Apr 15, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
There are people living in that house.
West of Main
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67873381@N00/2478879161/ You could be correct, Frustrated. One of the commentors on the photo linked above claims that the house is inhabited by an "old man." In all my years walking by the place, I've never seen any sign of movement, though. If you look at the sidewalk in front of the house, you'll see that someone etched "demo" in the concrete. Perhaps a disgruntled neighbor?
Frustrated in A2
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
One reason I suspect that house hasn't been touched is because some probably lives in it. You'll be amazed at some of the conditions some folks live in.
oldblueypsi
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.
But its "historic"! In reality, the City is probably waiting for the University to grab it for a parking lot or a chopper landing site for holders of the luxury boxes at the Big House.
Carole
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.
Well, I'm impressed that Fannie Mae at least paid for the demolishing of this house.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 10:49 a.m.
since Fannie Mae owns it its technically a federal park now. ;)
oldblueypsi
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 11:58 a.m.
Remind the neighbors that they will need an "America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Pass" to enter on to the property.
Basic Bob
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 8:03 a.m.
The lot is only 38 feet wide at the curb and narrows further back. That section of Packard needs some redevelopment before this lot will see its full value. It could sit vacant indefinitely, which is an improvement.
jns131
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
Do what Detroit neighbors are doing, plant a garden there. If you read the reports, Detroit is becoming the greenest city in the country due to the fact they are tearing out homes faster then Ypsi or Ann Arbor is. I did read the some of the neighbors with neighboring empty lots are planting gardens there. Sounds mighty fine to me.
Wolf's Bane
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 2:45 a.m.
No, first bulldoze the burnt out places along Main street between Summit and Felch streets. Huh? They're visible to EVERYONE!
smokeblwr
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.
Now what about that dump on Hill Street a few houses east of Main? TEAR IT DOWN!!!
Tony Livingston
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.
Yes, at first glance I thought this was that house. I can't believe it has sat there for years in horrible condition.
West of Main
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 2:43 a.m.
Agreed. The dump on Hill looks way worse than this one did!
DonBee
Fri, Apr 13, 2012 : 11:17 p.m.
Funniest looking "bulldozer" I have ever seen. It is an excavator...lol, some one did not watch the construction videos as a child.
jns131
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
Looks like a back hoe to me. O well, don't worry I get them things confused too. Glad to see Ann Arbor is doing the right thing.
Paula Gardner
Sat, Apr 14, 2012 : 10:52 a.m.
No, "someone" did not! I wish I'd been corrected when I'd asked the man about "driving the bulldozer." He did tell me he doesn't drive it .. he operates it. I'll be sure to get more detailed in future reports about construction equipment:)