SAULT STE. MARIE — A two-storey house a slap shot away from Esposito Park has been declared unsafe and in danger of collapse.
In recent days, city building officials have boarded up 128 Andrew St. and, with help from police, removed squatters from the premises.
Perry Raymond Kerns, of Pine St., has been ordered to demolish porches and a stair access that are said to have shifted and to be in danger of collapse.
He's also ordered to clean up debris on the site and to obtain an engineer's report on the structural stability of the house's foundation and walls.
Kerns is well known around the city's building division for his involvement with other problem properties including 124 Gore St. and 606 Wellington St. E.
The house at 128 Andrew is currently offered for sale for $39,900, as is, with the purchaser obligated to assume all work orders applicable to the property.
Earlier this year, city officials announced a crackdown on unkempt yards and poorly maintained houses and other structures, saying they would no longer waste time on unnecessary letters, warnings and notices.
The target for fixing rundown buildings is now 35 to 36 days, compared to 81 to 82 days previously.
Ward 4 Couns. Rick Niro and Marchy Bruni had pushed for reductions in the time needed to obtain compliance with property standards and yard maintenance bylaws.
Last month, Brant Coulter was appointed the city's second bylaw enforcement officer and property standards inspector.
