Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wrecking Cincinnati, 2/25/09

2195 Harrison Avenue, Westwood
Three-family
DOB: 1895
Died: December 2008
Cause of death: An excessive amount of furniture, boxes, and other storage cluttering the property and creating a fire hazard. From time to time, the exterior of the property was filled with litter, including a mattress, a junked car, and boxes that were being inhabited by animals. Raccoons were also found living in the house, which had started to deteriorate to the point that water had begun to damage the ceilings, walls, and floors. It appears to have been abandoned after the owner died in 1993. For some reason, the property remained in her name.

The City condemned the house in June 2005. A criminal case was filed, but later dismissed. The house was declared a public nuisance in September 2005, and was targeted again during the Neighborhood Enhancement Program in 2008.

In late 2008, the chimney collapsed. It was razed by the City following asbestos abatement. The Westwood Civic Association supported its demolition because it was a blighting influence in an otherwise stable area.

The house was owned by a relative of Ron Brown, a 70-year-old man who in 2007 was sentenced to 180 days in jail for not cleaning up his Westwood properties.