Making a mountain out of a mole hill

I spoke with the Chief Inspector of the Oakland Blight Department just a moment ago to inform him of the most recent developments with the Cheney House. Those of you in the neighborhood may have been noticing a slowly growing mound of dirt located in the owner's driveway, a mound that is over twice as large now as it was when this picture was taken:

I directed the inspector to this blog and to the photo gallery that contains a photo history of the property. He told me how helpful these photos were to him, and he promised he would drop by the property today to take pictures of his own, to document the property formally.

I also informed him of the roof situation (i.e. "there is no roof") and asked if there was anything he could do to compel the property owner to install a roof, or at least cover it. He said there was and he would be contacting the property owner soon.

For those in the neighborhood concerned about this property, please consider leaving a comment. The city is watching this blog and I want them to hear from people other than myself. Please lend me your voice!

Comments

[Mary Ellen Navas]

As a neighbor, I've been dismayed by the failure of the owners of this once beautiful house, to do anything other than strip it. It seems that once they were in action about the house (after the fire), their actions have been to reduce the house to a shell by removing anything of value from it, including woodwork and wainscotting; and leave it to the elements. The worst case is that it remains a blight, no actually the worst case would be if it became another terrible and tasteless development. BTW this house is known around the neighborhood beyond Walker. As I walked during my stint as precinct captain, several neighbors on Warfield who walk by it on their way to the bus stop on Lakepark asked me about it. It's an example of perceived inadequate City support for the neighorhood.

[Amanda Brown-Stevens]

Yesterday I saw workers at the house who seemed to be tossing chunks of two by fours out the upstairs window into another pile in the yard - I hope this is a sign that they are cleaning up, not making more of a mess.