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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Review: Maya Patridge soars in 'Peter Pan' ... Learning to lead ... Jackson County fire districts join in Stouts fire battle ... Review: Maya Patridge soars in 'Peter Pan' ... Learning to lead ... Jackson County fire districts join in Stouts fire battle ... NUISANCE PROPERTY 'Dangerous' property in downtown Phoenix demolished By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 @ 5:07 pm By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 @ 5:07 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A dispute over a derelict property in downtown Phoenix that became a haven for transients has been resolved after the former owner recently sold the land and demolished a “dangerous” building. “I did neglect that building for a long time,” acknowledged former owner Bernard “Bernie” Zieminski, who gained notoriety in years past when the county refused to issue any building permits in 2005 until he cleared up nuisance issues with his properties. The city of Phoenix filed a lawsuit against Zieminski in June seeking to get him to remove a building at 108 Main St. that was “nearly engulfed in overgrown blackberry bushes,” according to a certified letter sent to Zieminski April 6 by Ryan Kirchoff, Phoenix’s attorney. In the past two weeks, Zieminski sold the property to Donald Sheldon Fitch of Talent. Zieminski said the city owns an adjacent property that he described as a “swamp,” which encouraged the growth of the blackberry bushes. “They wanted me to clean up my property, but they don’t have to clean up their property,” Zieminski said. He said he tore down the house, filled a dumpster and then turned the property over to Fitch. Steve Dahl, Phoenix city manager, said, “We’re unhappy with how he left the property. It’s not cleaned up the way we would have liked.” But with Zieminski out of the picture, Dahl said the suit would be dropped and the property no longer poses a threat to the health and safety of local residents. The city began sending Zieminski nuisance notices Feb. 16 after issuing an order declaring the building a dangerous structure. “Transients were living in that old house,” Dahl said. The suit said the front door and most of the windows had been broken or removed. A shopping cart was lodged in one window. Construction debris and garbage were strewn over the property. Firth, the new owner, had also filed complaints with the city previously about the condition of the Zieminski property, Dahl said. Firth owns two other properties on either side of the former Zieminski property. Dahl said he thinks the new owner will be cooperative in maintaining the property as the city continues to embark on a redevelopment effort in the downtown. He said this is the first time the city has threatened to take over a property because of a nuisance issue. “We’re serious about cleaning up downtown,” Dahl said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 5, 2015 @ 5:07 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501