closed #201900
Unsafe Buildings
309 W Watson ST
- Case Date:
- 4/5/2025
looking for an update on ticket #200857. Has there been progress with this situation?
looking for an update on ticket #200857. Has there been progress with this situation?
There are homeless people living in makeshift structures in the backyard of this property. There is trash everywhere. There are vehicles everywhere. This needed to be addressed immediately. I don't know if the home is abandoned or what is going on. You can see all of this from the b line trail.
I am writing as a concerned citizen who frequently drives by a property with multiple mobile homes in severe disrepair. Based on what I’ve seen and a report previously submitted to Bloomington’s UReport system, the conditions of at least one of these trailers are unlivable and pose serious health and safety risks. Most recently, I noticed that the roof of the trailer facing Madison Street has caved in, making it completely uninhabitable. This is in addition to the already hazardous conditions, which include: Lack of Basic Utilities: The trailer has no running water or gas for heating and cooking, making it unsafe, especially in extreme weather. Severe Structural Damage: Floors are dangerously weak, with one section in the bathroom completely collapsed and covered only by a board. The bathtub is resting on bricks, which is unsafe. Unsanitary Conditions: The resident has been forced to confine himself to a single room for warmth, using blankets to block off parts of the trailer. There is also ongoing animal waste inside the home, creating a serious health hazard. Fire and Safety Risks: Makeshift heating methods and extreme clutter increase the risk of fire, endangering not just the resident but also the surrounding community. According to the UReport complaint, the property owner is the resident’s wife, though she does not live there. She has publicly acknowledged these unsafe conditions but has failed to take responsibility for cleaning up the property or ensuring it meets basic health and safety standards. As the legal property owner, she is ultimately responsible for the upkeep of the land and any structures on it, including ensuring they meet health and safety codes. These conditions appear to violate multiple housing and health codes, including: Indiana Code Title 16, Article 41, Chapter 27, which requires property owners to maintain safe and habitable conditions for any mobile homes on their land. (Link) 410 Indiana Administrative Code 6-6, which holds property owners responsible for maintaining safe, sanitary conditions in mobile home communities. (Link) Bloomington’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), Title 20, which governs the safety and upkeep of structures on private property within the city, including mobile homes. I am not a legal or city expert, but based on my understanding, these regulations seem to apply to this situation, and I trust the city will review and enforce the appropriate codes. The property owner should be held accountable for the cleanup and remediation of these unsafe conditions. Additionally, I believe the resident may require urgent assistance, and I hope the city can connect him with available resources to address his health and safety concerns. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [Concerned Citizen]
I want to start off by saying this property is in my name, the mobile homes are not but anyway. My husband is living in these conditions and I have concerns for his health as he is very depressed and a diabetic and does not take care of himself very well. The mobile home has no running water in the home nor does he have gas in the home for the heat and stove. The floors are very week in several spots, the bathroom floor has fell through and has a board over the top of a whole and in the rest of the mobile home the floor is so nasty, you have to wear shoes to walk on in there. The tub is sitting on bricks, he has blankets hung up at the front of the hallway to block of the rest of the mobile home so he can contain the heat in the living room where he stays, you can barely walk in there because of everything being in that one room. During the winter time, he puts a blanket up right as you walk in the door again to block the living room off from the kitchen to contain the heat. He has a dog that urinates in the home when he is not there and in the middle of the night. I mean the mobile home is in really bad shape and to me should be condemned.
There is trash pile around the house. The yard isn't mowed. It is vacant and people are slipping in and out of the house. Rats have been viewed running from the property.
Other: It has come to the attention of the surrounding neighbors that the owner of the property attempted to evict the tenants with no luck. It is past 30 days to when many of us first learned of this. Since the clearing of the camps at Switchyard there is much more activity at this property. There is a person sleeping in their black car in the driveway. There are people on bikes in and out throughout the day and night. There are dogs without leashes. There are people yelling. The Tenants are running a very large and loud generator from 8am-11pm, so they're aware of the rules. This means no power. From what I understand, they also haven't had water in almost a year. Check previous reports to follow up on that. All of this is causing significant distress and potential health hazards to the surrounding residents. This is a nuisance and a safety concern for everyone. These tenants and the state of the building detracts from the character and well-being of the neighborhood, and despite numerous complaints, no change has been made.
Why are there two reports about the toilet being in this yard and both have been closed? The toilet is still there.
There are on average 6-7 cars parked in the grass and drive. There are piles of trash surrounding the trashcans in the front. They've made a DIY fence made of baby gates, random fences and items they've found. From what I understand they do not rent, but are possibly past an eviction notice. It's possible there is no running water so where are all these people going to the bathroom or water? There are dogs on the property. How are they getting water? The building is falling apart. The city needs to step in and help the owner with this situation. There have been multiple reports on this property, animal control has been at the property regularly.
On December 30, 2023, a camping trailer arrived on the property and appears to be occupied, potentially in violation of city codes 20.03.030 (g) Accessory Uses and Structures. (1) Generally (C) Prohibitions. and 20.04.060 (n) Use of Parking Areas. (5) Storage, Occupancy, or Similar Uses. While the parking and occupancy of the trailer itself raise concerns, my main concern lies with the overall condition of the property. Over the past few months, there has been a noticeable accumulation of debris on the driveway, in bushes, and throughout the yard. This includes items such as tires, biking equipment, and various other objects scattered about, which detract from the character and property values of the neighborhood. I understand that personal property management is an individual choice, but the current state of the property at 2603 S Bryan St significantly impacts the surrounding environment and creates a less-than-desirable atmosphere for neighbors. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could investigate this matter and take appropriate action.
For over a year now, an unsightly and unsanitary toilet has been parked prominently in the front yard of the property, causing significant distress and potential health hazards to the surrounding residents. This is an eyesore and safety concern. The toilet's presence detracts from the character and well-being of the neighborhood, and despite a previous complaint filed under case number 184694S, no change has been made.