NORTH BEND — The owner of a dilapidated house on Brussells Street has 90 days to demolish the structure before the city of North Bend takes action.

City officials are concerned the vacant house, located at 2810 Brussells St., presents a public health nuisance because its roof is caving in. Someone also recently broke into the building.

The city has been eyeing the house for more than a year, said Steve Werst, North Bend building inspector.

While the house remains in obvious disrepair, some work has been done to the property, making Jim Holmstedt, the representative and son of owner Peggy Holmstedt, in compliance. On Jan. 17, the city granted Holmstedt a permit to demolish it.  

“He has not deserted the job for over 180 days. In permit language, any permit could be voided or canceled if it is deserted for 180 days,” Werst explained.  

However, because progress has been so slow and some changes weren’t obvious, the city imposed a deadline. If the work is not completed by then, the North Bend City Council will review the situation during a public hearing on Sept. 9, to determine if the house is indeed a public health issue.

Failure to comply would mean the city could deem the building a dangerous building/public nuisance. If that declaration were made, the city could tear it down and make the owners pay.

According to a May 4, 2007, letter sent to Robert and Peggy Holmstedt of North Bend, the home has been in violation and could be declared dangerous by the city. Complaints listed against the property included the decaying roof, as well as garbage, debris and disabled vehicles in the yard. In the letter, the city demanded they make repairs within 30 days of receipt.

“This is an unhealthy condition that is likely to attract rodents to the dwelling and other residences in the immediate area. Allowing this condition to exist constitutes a nuisance under City of North Bend Ordinance chapter 8.12.010,” the letter stated.  

Werst sent another letter to the Holmstedts on June 10, informing them the matter would be brought before the council.

At a City Council meeting last week, Jim Holmstedt said he had emptied out more than half the items in the house.

 In July 2007, Holmstedt had brush removed from the property. But, by October 2007, he ran out of money but planned to resume work.

In January 2008, North Bend Police officers complained to Werst that the house had been broken into and a gun was seen on the kitchen floor. At that time, Werst posted a dangerous building sign on the house’s exterior. Later that month, Holmstedt obtained the demolition permit. In March, he had asbestos siding removed from the building.

On April 22, Holmstedt told Werst he hoped to have the dwelling removed by June 1. However on June 2, the building inspector drove by the house and saw no progress. Holmstedt told him he had emptied more than half of the house and was seeking bids for demolishment, as well as the money to pay for it.

“I regret that my progress has been rather slow,” Holmstedt told the City Council. “I have every intention in the very near future to get it completely down.”

He blamed the work pace on his lack of resources, noting he spent more than $2,000 on brush removal and other work. He also said he boarded up doors and windows on the house following the break-in.