Latest news with #CityCodeEnforcement
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield eyes additional demolition phases
BLUEFIELD — Two additional phases of demolitions could be planned for Bluefield's future. The Bluefield Board of Directors voted earlier this week to proceed with phase seven of the city's demolition program, which involves the removal of four structures. But city officials also are mapping out two additional demolition phases for the future involving 55 additional structures. The phase seven project involves the demolition of four buildings at a total cost of $158,000, according to City Code Enforcement Director Mika Bargo. The city board voted unanimously Tuesday to issue a notice to proceed on the phase seven demolitions to Empire Salvage. City Manager Cecil Marson said phase seven of the demolition program will involve properties on Pulaski Street, View Avenue, Commerce Street and Giles Street. 'All we are doing now is giving them the notice to proceed and start,' Marson said. The demolition program has been funded through the Department of Environmental Protection's REAP program. Bargo said the city to date has completed 154 demolitions through the use of $2.1 million in DEP funds. 'Currently we are working on phase seven, which is four problem structures in the city at a total of $158,000,' Bargo said. 'This will be the last of the current REAP money. We do however have two more phases we are looking at.' Bargo said the proposed phase eight would involve the removal of 10 additional structures at an estimated cost of $128,500. 'We also have a phase nine that we are looking at which would probably be an estimation of around a million dollars,' she said. 'It's 45 structures, several of those large commercial structures that we would like to get down and something like that would open up some space in the city for businesses.' Bargo said the city's code enforcement office is still looking at additional properties and mapping out the future phases. The city also would need to secure additional state funding for the future demolition phases. Similar demolitions have been ongoing on the county level through the DEP REAP program. Earlier this month, a two-story building in Matoaka was torn down through the use of remaining DEP funds. Since 2023, the county has spent a $1.5 million grant clearing up blight. Another $750,000 grant was awarded to the county in January 2024 through the DEP for demolitions. Of that grant, approximately $87,000 was still remaining earlier this month. Lori Mills, the county's Dilapidated Structures Officer, said in an earlier interview that the county does intend to apply for additional DEP funds for future demolitions. 'Money-wise, this is the last one for now,' Mills said. 'But should we get additional funding, yes, there are several more that could come down.' More than 300 dilapidated structures have been removed on the county level to date. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Early morning fire damages Chautauqua Co. homes
(WJET/WFXP)– An early morning fire Thursday left a Chautauqua County home heavily damaged, and investigators unable to pin down a cause. According to the City of Dunkirk Fire Department, crews were called to that fire at 4:28 a.m. Thursday, in the 100 block of Franklin Ave. in the City of Dunkirk, first responders found flames coming from the first-floor windows of the house. Three-year drug investigation in Chautauqua Co. ends in 2 lb. meth bust Crews were able to get the fire under control in a hurry, though the house next door did suffer some minor heat damage from the blaze. Nobody was living in the home at the time and investigators weren't able to determine an official cause of the fire, but there was 'probable human involvement.' The Fredonia Fire Department, East Dunkirk Fire Department, Chautauqua County Emergency Services, Alstar EMS, City of Dunkirk Police, City Code Enforcement, and National Grid also assisted at the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Santa Monica residents fed up with ‘incessant' robotaxi noise
Some residents in Santa Monica are upset with what they describe as 'noise pollution' caused by Waymo charging stations in one neighborhood. The lot where dozens of driverless Waymo cars charge is located on Broadway near Euclid Street and, based on Google Maps, is surrounded by homes, schools, and several other businesses. Christopher Potter, a resident who started an online petition, says he and his neighbors are bothered by an 'incessant disturbance' of beeping sounds as the autonomous vehicles back out of their spaces – dozens of times per hour, by his estimate. 'The elementary school across the street already has parents backing up the street to pick up their kids. Now add the constant stream of driverless vehicles running in and out of the two lots in Santa Monica, and it's crazy,' Potter writes. He says one neighbor took the extreme step of blocking the driverless cars from entering the lot and was slapped with a restraining order from Waymo. 'I don't blame him — these things are just going around the block endlessly,' Potter says. Waymo launched its service in the Los Angeles area in November 2024 and primarily operates in West L.A. with around 100 vehicles currently. The petition is demanding that the company alter the cars' programming so the beeping volume is considerably lower when they're charging in their own lot. For its part, Waymo says it has already implemented steps to reduce noise in the area by planting trees and other plants to serve as sound barriers. Watch: Waymo robotaxi takes evasive action to avoid dangerous drivers in DTLA 'The City of Santa Monica has taken sound measurements at the charging facility,' the company said in a statement to the Santa Monica Daily Press. 'City Code Enforcement staff confirmed the noise levels did not rise to the level of a violation of the City's Exterior Noise Standards.' City officials acknowledge receiving complaints but told the Daily Press that they have no jurisdiction over Waymo's operations, saying the California Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles permit robotaxis. 'It's imperative that Waymo respects the right to peace and tranquility of the residents of Santa Monica,' Potter demands. 'We urge the management of Waymo and the city to address our concerns and undertake urgent measures.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Syracuse launches a new tool to help renters
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Syracuse's mayor, Ben Walsh, has announced a new community tool to help renters learn more about a property before renting. The new tool 'Look Before You Rent' allows users to search by address or neighborhood to discover a property's status. Check out Look Before You Rent 'We want people to live in safe, healthy housing and have access to property information that can help them make informed decisions before signing a lease,' said Mayor Walsh. 'Look Before You Rent is built on a user-friendly map that provides a baseline understanding of a property's record with City Code Enforcement.' Federal funding cuts have local impact on Food Bank of CNY 'Pray for Aunamarie!' Shop sign becomes memorial for girl hit by car Sackets Harbor declares state of emergency ahead of protests Syracuse launches a new tool to help renters Local farm braces for high prices following Trump's tariffs The tool, available on desktop and mobile devices, has an interactive map that provides information on code violations, if a property has been declared unfit, and other property information, the city said. 'As an agency who helps assist low-income tenants in obtaining safe and affordable rental housing, the Look Before You Rent tool will be incredibly helpful to us and the tenants we serve,' said Sharon Sherman, Executive Director of the Greater Syracuse Tenants Network. With this tool, there will be rental Registry and Certificate of Compliance programs that the city says will help protect the renters' safety by requiring landlords to register their property with the Division of Code Enforcement. To be issued a certificate, Syracuse requires rental properties to be inspected every three years and to be clear of any code violations. Tenants will be able to look before they decide to rent to see if serious violations such as lead-based paint hazards are present. This is a step in the right direction to providing better access to important housing information impacting tenant health and safety,' Sherman said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
