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No quick fix for Medford's problem properties Derek Reeder of Medford walks past an abandoned property at 205 Chestnut St. that has been a problem for neighbors and the city for years. [Mail Tribune / Andy Atkinson] Monday Oct 23, 2017 at 5:46 PM Oct 23, 2017 at 7:52 PM Damian Mann Mail Tribune @reporterdm A burned-out house at 205 Chestnut St. has been a plague for the surrounding west Medford neighborhood for four years, but the city plans to demolish it after starting the first of what could be several foreclosure actions against it and other properties that are a scourge to the community. "It's an eyesore and needs to be torn down," said Leo Antognazzi, who lives across the street. The 51-year-old said his neighbor, who lives next to the burned-out house, has been trying to sell his own house but can't because of the eyesore next door. In 2013, the house at 205 Chestnut St. burned, and the owner, Stanley Hagist, moved to California. Since then, Medford police have received dozens of calls for trespassing, vandalism, rodents and other problems. The city plans to file receivership proceedings in Jackson County Circuit Court. The property is a block west of Columbus Avenue and about two blocks south of West Main Street. The estimated cost of demolition is $20,000, which would be paid out of a $50,000 fund set aside by Medford City Council to clean up problem properties. A lien would be placed on the property for the demolition costs and could be recovered at the time the property is sold at auction. If the property doesn't fetch a bid in excess of the demolition costs, the city would become owner of the property. Antognazzi said the house has been a nuisance over the two years he has lived on the street, and his wife and he have seen people living in the house or in a shed on the property. Now, another house next to the boarded-up house appears to be attracting vagrants, as well, he said. A house next to Antognazzi was being fixed up by the owner, but thieves have been stealing copper wire from it, Antognazzi said. Not realizing the problems in the neighborhood when he bought his own house, Antognazzi said he's had to take steps to protect himself. "We didn't know the neighborhood," he said. "We've installed security cameras, a fence in the front yard and an alarm in the house. We need help from the cops." For more than a year, the city has been working to clean up nuisance properties. The city started with a list of 40 problem properties, but most of the owners have filed action plans, begun remodeling or demolished problem buildings. Sam Barnum, city building director, said the Chestnut property is one of the worst in the city. "We deem it a hazard and danger to the public health and welfare," he said. Barnum said he thinks there are about 10 to 12 properties that still require review by his department to determine whether any work has been done. He said at least two other properties, one at 1039 Cherry St., which also burned, and another at 24 N. Orange St., will likely need to be demolished by the city and may require foreclosure proceedings in the coming months. Barnum said he would like to assess how quickly and easily the Chestnut Street foreclosure progresses. "If it goes smooth, we would definitely go for another demo in three months," he said. One property, at 1866 Springbrook Road, which was being considered by the city for demolition, is undergoing repairs by the owner after the city sent out warning letters. The city had been looking for a local nonprofit agency to participate in a receivership program to rehabilitate some of these problem properties. But the non-profits eventually declined because of the potential that they could perform the work but not recoup their investment after a foreclosure sale. Barnum said it wouldn't be practical for the city to undertake remodeling of houses. "I don't think that we're really staffed to run a rehab project," he said. — Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on www.twitter.com/reporterdm.