COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Hilltop residents called our On Your Side Team with some good news about a property they said has been a nuisance for years.
According to 311 records, the property at 571 South Harris Avenue had been vacant since 2014 and plagued by drug use, squatting, theft and trash.
But on June 9, an environmental court judge found an owner in contempt.
Judge Stephanie Mingo imposed a fine of $1,000, in addition to daily fines of $500 per day, and the property remains out of compliance.
Hilltop residents first called ABC 6 about the property in May.
WSYX brought concerns to Columbus City Council member Shayla Favor, who referred the information to the city attorney’s office. City prosecutors then sued the property owner, CE Brown Holdings Ltd.
Upon ABC 6’s return to the property following the court hearing, it appeared changes had been made.
“It is vastly improved,” Hilltop resident Carla Carr said. “Typically, the grass would be waist high. You’d see multiple notices on the door. There were squatters on this property, and there was a dump site in the back. Neighbors have been the babysitter of the property for a decade, and the owner seemed oblivious to the issues happening here.”
We really can’t thank you enough. Because it does take a spotlight on an issue to get something done. — Carla Carr
“As long as I’m City Attorney, property owners who are unwilling or unable to abide by court orders to improve safety and address ongoing nuisance activity will be held accountable. This is a good next step to get this property turned around and benefit the neighborhood,” City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor this property and will not hesitate to take further action when appropriate.”
ABC 6 reached out to the attorney representing CE Brown Holdings Ltd. and is waiting for a response back.
While Carr said she is satisfied that the city is holding that property owner accountable, there are more Hilltop properties that need attention, too.
We can find ones like this on every block in the neighborhood,” Carr said. “I can take you down every single street, and we could find a dump in the back and we could find out that the property has been sitting vacant for five, eight, 12 years.”
A solution could be coming soon — this month, Columbus City Council passed legislation for a vacant property registry. According to city council, the registries would serve as a way to protect neighborhoods from blight caused by properties.
ABC 6 asked Carr if she thought the registry would be beneficial.
“I have great hope that it will work,” Carr said. “But I can make lists all day. And I can check them twice. But if the list doesn’t have any teeth to it, what will be the result to that?”
A Columbus City Council spokesperson told ABC 6 the registry would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
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