Comment

Comment by XLFD on October 24, 2017 at 1:15pm

Back in the spring, I heard a report from a credible source that the Big Fish (commercial renters) owner was looking to hire a few immigrant workers and house them in the upstairs recesses of that place which is pretty much an attic which wouldn't pass muster with the city building code as living spaces.  Other businesses on that block would likely be nervous about that since the attic spaces reportedly are interconnected, and so you could have had several improperly-documented immigrant workers up there during the cool seasons with space heaters and overloaded circuits creating a humungous fire hazard.  

Worse, the fire would be likely to spread throughout those other buildings.  I don't even want to begin with the health and hygiene issues that may have been part of that.  It's sad what some people won't do for cheap black market labor.

Comment by AQUAMAN on October 23, 2017 at 6:18pm

I slowed way down to look today, and that store has a big sign in the window that says, Big Fish. It's the old Ben Franklin store, not the clothing store that Ravens ran. So, do they own both stores now?

Comment by John Doe Jr on October 23, 2017 at 5:43pm

Prolly black mold...

Comment by AQUAMAN on October 23, 2017 at 1:15pm

The Raven family are quite well known as good neighbors and business people in general, and Chris's brother Mark Raven is our retired Probate Judge now. So, I find it hard to believe this has any validity, unless the city doesn't agree with some future usage, or they are seeking to get that hefty application fee of $500 without further due. Wish there was more info. on the particulars here.

Comment by Willy on October 23, 2017 at 9:41am

A building cannot be deemed unsafe unless there exists actual physical hazards which can cause harm to people. A building is not considered unsafe only if certain fees are unpaid, so there must be something that is truly hazardous inside this building. If not then the inspector is opening himself and the City up for legal action.

Comment by XLFD on October 23, 2017 at 8:59am

Mayor Holman was on WMOM this morning and this was the first topic covered.  She typically sits at LCC committee meetings and she implied there were definite safety issues involved with it, the tenants inside were all out, even upstairs, and the property owners (Chris and Vicki Raven) are needing to deal with some issues.  If not, it could lead to eventual demolition.  

Unless you've heard something from a better source, stump, she made the case that it was a true 116 emergency measure.  

Comment by AQUAMAN on October 22, 2017 at 11:18pm

Major renovations is one thing, but did they just want to repaint and put in new lighting, and new drywall? If so, then that's NOT major at all! Wtheck's the deal? Or is the building structure in major need of repair?

Comment by stump on October 22, 2017 at 10:46pm

The code violation105 is not having a building permit to do renovations, the 116 is for not paying the $500. application fee . I have found Fulker to be fair in his inspection work. Somebody didn't take him serious about following the rules. Get a permit before work .