The city of Warsaw is seeking to demolish the apartments at 214 N. Fort Wayne Ave. InkFreeNews file photo.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – A house converted years ago into two apartments on Fort Wayne Avenue in Warsaw is still scheduled for demolition over building code violations.

A demolition order for 214 N. Fort Wayne Ave. was issued a month ago by an administrative judge who oversees code enforcement issues in Warsaw. Officials said it appears the property owner, Ralph Fitch, chose not to appeal the decision in court, according to Dana Hewitt, code enforcement officer.

That means demolition plans will go forward.

The city plan office is now expected to seek bids for the demolition and a contractor could be hired within a month, Hewitt said.

The building apparently has serious roof problems and a porch appears to be dilapidated.

The city asked to see an engineering report from Fitch, but that was never provided.

One resident who had been living without some utilities for months has been evicted. Another, who sought to make some repairs herself, is still apparently living in her apartment.

After the city selects a contractor, the case will go to the Board of Works for final approval.

In other matters, the case concerning two properties owned under the name Skyteam was continued. The buildings are at 303 S. Indiana St. and  422 S. Union St. The two buildings have had numerous code violations. In December 2021, the owner was fined for not completing many improvements listed by the city. The $1,100 fine had not been paid as of early Tuesday morning, Jan. 11, and the hearing officer, Tom Earhart, said he will reassess the situation after another inspection and determine whether another fine should be considered.

Earhart is also continuing to look at a dispute between a property owner and a contractor whose work is incomplete and believed to have significant code violations. The home is located on the southern end of Kimal Trail.

The owner has filed suit against the contractor.

The issue was tabled until the next code enforcement hearing on Feb. 22.