MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Dilapidated Buildings Commission heard a report on progress at the old Mount Vernon Middle School when it met Tuesday, and began discussions about what action might be taken on 500 N. McKenzie St., also known as the Round Hill Mansion or the Curtis Mansion.
Larry Fogle, Mount Vernon code enforcement officer, reported he has been in communication with owner John Bechtel about the progress on the middle school.
“The roof on what used to be the cafeteria area has been completed,” Fogle said. “The state inspector has signed off on that. Now he will be moving to the roof of the center portion of the building.”
Fogle noted the area is now a construction site and any permits and inspections are the responsibility of the state.
The commission also took up the subject of Round Hill Mansion. Dave Glass, Mount Vernon safety-service director and chairman of the commission, said the building appeared not to have had much maintenance done to it over the last several years. Of special concern are missing windows, especially in the cupola on top of the building.
“Larry [Fogle] and I are concerned about what appears to be a gradual degradation of that mansion,” Glass said.
“This property is owned by Dr. Irwin Weber,” said Fogle. “He was an emergency room doctor here a few years ago and bought the property. For a short period of time his wife and children lived in the mansion.”
Fogle said Weber could not be contacted by phone, so he sent notices by regular and certified mail, with no response. Fogle noted that when a recipient refuses to sign for a registered letter the post office will return it noted as such; no letter was returned. The commission decided to give Weber two more weekes to respond to either letter before more action is taken.
In other business:
•William Brayton, owner of 1003 W. Chestnut St., appeared before the commission to discuss the garage on his property. Brayton has owned the garage for six years, and told the commission he had talked to some people about fixing it. He said he has been using it as a carport rather than a garage during that time. The commission voted to condemn the property and asked Brayton for a timeline for repair.
•The commission reported nine buildings were either repaired or demolished in April.
•The commission continues to monitor seven properties. Most of these have minor concerns and property owners are cooperating with the commission.
