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Houses From Hell: One owner struggles with city to keep his house standing

Story by Liz Zamora

Originally published 05:42 p.m., May 6, 2007
Updated 09:58 p.m., May 13, 2007

Topeka — Many of the houses may look familiar... they are scattered throughout Topeka neighborhoods. Some have been abandoned for a year or two, and others for decades. They attract crime and vandalism and become eyesores. Abandoned houses are a problem in many Topeka neighbors. But for one neighborhood, all other houses pale in comparison to the structure at 1425 NW Jackson.

Code Enforcement Inspector Don Carey says there has been an order of demolition on the house since November of last year. But he says back then, it didn't look this bad. The owner took out the floors and that's where everything literally started falling apart. Now the walls have separated from the foundation, the siding has been removed and in some places you can see daylight through the holes in the wall.

Even the owner admits the house is pretty far gone.

“It's probably on of the worst,” says owner Steve Dugan.

Dugan bought the house more than six months ago. He fixes up old houses and says he can make a house like this look new again. He was going to rehab it for his parents' retirement home.

“I hadn't had it two weeks and I was hauled into court,” says Dugan.

It was at that court date that there was an order for demolition. But Dugan wanted to do it himself. But since he is not a licensed contractor, Carey says the city must tear it down. This could cost Dugan anywhere from $3,000 on up.

“If you do your own demo, then you gotta be a licensed contractor to do that with the City,” says Carey.

And Dugan says he simply ran out of money and out of time.

“I'm really disappointed that I wasn't able to get on it as fast to prove to the City that I can do it,” says Dugan.

The front has been secured by a fence but the back only has caution tape warning people away – a far cry from Dugan’s vision for the house. But he says this won't deter him from what he says he does best.

“Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. This time I am coming up on the short end of the stick,” says Dugan.

On Wednesday, we'll follow up with the house to see if it's coming down. We'll also take a look at some of the roadblocks the Code inspectors and even owners face in trying to get some of these houses demolished.

Watch parts two and three of Liz Zamora's series, Houses From Hell.