At one time, the home at 503 S.W. Drane St., in Historic Downtown Plant City, was a site to behold. At nearly 4,000 square feet, the two-story giant once featured beautiful wood trim and porches on both floors.
But, that all seems like a lifetime ago.
Today, the home is barely standing on its rotten frame. The porch’s wood floor crumbles beneath even careful footsteps. Inside, the home has fallen victim to termites, as well as wet and dry rot.
There is still evidence of a fire that claimed the second story and most of the roof.
“At one time, the is was a very beautiful house,” said Terry Doolittle, a plans examiner and building inspector for Plant City.
Plant City commissioners condemned the Drane Street property, along with two others, during their March 11 meeting. The homes at 1107 and 1109 W. Granfield Ave. also exhibited similar disrepair, causing city officials to deem all three to be a menace to public health, a fire hazard and unsafe.
The city’s Building Department issued a Notice and Order of Condemnation to each of the three property owners last October. That notice gave the property owners 30 days to demolish the homes.
Following Monday’s meeting, the property owners now have an additional 30 days to demolish their homes. If they do not comply, the city will bid out for the demolition, advance the costs and place a lien on the properties.
According to Hillsborough County Property Appraiser records, MEJ Holdings LLC is the owner of the Drane Street Property. Dustin and Kerry Beachy are listed as the owners of the 1109 W. Granfield Ave. home; and Marcie Sullivan and Timothy Chelf are the owners of the home at 1107 W. Granfield Ave.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• Commissioners directed city staff to pay off its Utility System Revenue Refunding Bond on the April 1 loan payment date. The total payment is $5,630,355.95.
“Payoff of this debt represents a significant reduction in the Water and Sewer Utility’s total debt and annual debt service,” wrote City Manager Greg Horwedel.
City Commissioner Rick Lott applauded the city for paying off the debt.
“That’s just good, sound fiscal government,” he said.
• The city presented the family of James Washington with a plaque honoring Mr. Washington’s service to the community.
Mr. Washington, better known as “Jimmy Bing,” died Feb. 7. Mr. Washington’s grandparents, E.L. and Janie Bing, opened Bing Rooming House in 1920.
• Resident Joanna MaGrath addressed city commissioners to speak against the recent fluoridation of Plant City’s water supply. She cited studies that examined the harmful affects of fluoride. “>http://sportjoin.ru/bistro-zaymi-krasnoyarsk.php