Ralph Fitch (L) talks to code enforcement officials Tuesday, June 28, at city hall. In the background, from left, are building commissioner Ray Behling, Hearing Officer Thomas Earhart, Code Enforcement Inspector Dana Hewitt and Building Inspector Rob Hurford. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

This four-unit apartment building at 500 Chinworth Court could be demolished if the owner does not sell it quickly. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Ralph Fitch might be the most exasperating person Warsaw’s code enforcement staff has come into contact with.

The Larwill man has had a history of documented unsafe and troubled rental properties in Warsaw, including two that have attracted squatters content to live rent-free without electricity or water.

In recent years, city code enforcement has forced Fitch to sell some of his houses with building code violations and demolished at least one on which he failed to make necessary repairs.

Earlier this year, the city spent months trying to force Fitch to make improvements and eventually cajoled him into selling a house on Fort Wayne Avenue where a squatter had been living in one of two apartments without utilities.

On Tuesday, June 28, the city ordered a four-unit apartment building at 500 Chinworth Court to be demolished, but left enough time – a matter of weeks – for Fitch to sell the property to somebody willing to make improvements.

The Chinworth property was one of two properties owned by Fitch that the city is investigating. The other is at 520 S. Columbia St.

The two-story apartment building at 500 Chinworth has numerous violations.

A woman and her son live in one apartment, but the other three units have been inhabited by homeless people who are not paying rent, officials said.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, said she’s lived there for four years and estimates she’s spent about $25,000 in improvements to the building often in exchange for free rent.

While she has utilities, that’s not the case for the other units.

City officials said they were told some of the residents come and go through windows.

The woman said she’s seen more police calls at the building this year than in previous years.

As he did earlier this year, Fitch expressed fear over trying to evict squatters, but other times, said he felt sorry for their situation.

“I don’t even know who they are or where they’re coming from,” he said.

Code Enforcement Officer Dana Hewitt said their office already informed all of the tenants that demolition would be sought and said none of them were surprised.

Fitch continued to ask for more time, but code enforcement officials appear tired of his tactics.

“It’s got potential,” Fitch said.

“Yes, it does,” said building inspector Rob Hurford. “For an owner who wants to take care of it, it has a lot of potential.”

The female tenant said she knows of an offer to sell it for $80,000, but Fitch said Tuesday that he would prefer to make improvements and then sell it for much more money. She said she would be encouraging Fitch to make the move.

She said she’s at the breaking point, but has a soft spot for Fitch.

“He’s got a really big heart, but getting him to do anything is like pulling teeth, she said.

In announcing the demolition order, Hearing Officer Thomas Earhart told Fitch that he still has time to work out a sale before a contractor is lined up to do the work

“If I were you,” Hurford said, “I’d go back to those potential buyers and get that place sold or you’re going to end up with a vacant lot.”

In a related case, the city ordered Fitch to allow code enforcement to inspect the interior at 520 S. Columbia St. Officials found numerous violations with the exterior and believe more will be found with an inspection.

The property has numerous broken windows, an abandoned vehicle, tall grass and weeds, and a broken fence.

In another case, a house at 316 S. Union is on the verge of being sold. The city has been pressuring that owner, Darwin Busz, to sell the property. Busz said he will close on the sale Wednesday.

It appears the mailboxes in front of 500 Chinworth Court are not used much. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.