Some East Cleveland leaders query demolition of mayor’s house

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — East Cleveland metropolis council members Korean Stevenson and Patricia Blochowiak imagine the demolition of a house owned by Mayor Brandon King raises a collection of questions.

In keeping with each metropolis and Cuyahoga County data, King obtained the Oakhill Highway house from the East Cleveland Land Financial institution for not more than $1,000 in 2017, however Stevenson and Blochowiak imagine the mayor had no proper to tear it down.

Stevenson informed Information 5 she believes King violated the town ordinance which she stated requires any house taken from the town land financial institution to have renovations began inside a 12 months, or the property should be given again to the town.

Dave Hatala

Stevenson stated she believes the mayor violated that settlement, the house mustn’t have been demolished and that the mayor ought to have achieved a greater job protecting the house maintained in that historic neighborhood.

“I couldn’t imagine you’re going to tear this home down,” Stevenson stated. “You get the property, you may have a 12 months to restore the property, should you don’t do it, the property reverts again to the town. So this property ought to have reverted again to the town.”

“Each home-owner has an obligation to maintain their home up and renovated, he didn’t do what he stated he was going to do and that’s why we’re right here right this moment. On the subject of the demolition, I’d be asking the place is the cash coming from for this, why was it achieved and why the property didn’t revert again to the town.”

Dave Hatala

East Cleveland Councilwoman Patricia Blochowiak informed Information 5 that the demolition of the home ought to have been vetted by the town council because the home got here from the land financial institution by way of council approval.

“We must always know the place the funds got here from, we must always know why that individual demolition firm was chosen, we must always know whether or not the allowing course of was authorized,” Blochowiak stated. “We must always know why it didn’t come earlier than council.”

Information 5 spoke with different owners dwelling in historic homes on Oakhill Highway, who did not wish to be recognized, who stated they have been dissatisfied the home was taken down, regardless of its poor situation. Householders shared their issues about property values and having a vacant lot within the neighborhood.

Patricia Blochowiak

Information 5 made 4 cellphone calls to King’s workplace and his private cellphone, together with leaving a message along with his workplace supervisor. Information 5 additionally despatched an e-mail to the mayor, however we’re nonetheless ready for a response.

In the meantime, Stevenson is hoping the mayor will quickly present solutions to many questions on the house he had demolished.

“If you happen to didn’t need the home, should you determined you didn’t need it, you’re not going to repair it, give it again to the purpose of origination,” Stevenson stated. “That was his obligation and he didn’t try this.”