Case Explained: Cleveland takes legal action against owners of deteriorating Corlett Movers building – Legal Perspective

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -The city of Cleveland has filed criminal charges against the owners of the deteriorating Corlett Movers building on East 55th Street, with fines totaling $20,000.

19 News. We’ve first reported on the building back in August. In September, the fire marshal ruled the building a hazard.

“Just an absolute disaster here, and the property owner continues to neglect. We’ve tried working with them, we’ve been patient, but the fact of the matter is, times up,” said Tyler Sinclair, spokesperson for the mayor’s office.

Building poses multiple hazards

The building contains garbage throughout and has open doorways that are easily accessible. Fire officials identified multiple safety concerns.

“There’s several hazards from the basement, and the first floor, there’s a lot of chemical hazards,” said the Fire Marshal.

The building owner, reached by phone, claims he is working to secure the building.

However, city officials said required plans have not been submitted.

“End of October, they were required to submit a plan, the fire department has not received anything in terms of abating these materials so rather than just sit around and wait, we took criminal action,” Sinclair said.

City seeks additional security measures

The city filed the criminal charges in the first week of December. If convicted, the owners would face probation on buying properties in the future.

“That’s not the type of business we want in the city of Cleveland, that’s not the type of business owners we want in the city of Cleveland,” Sinclair said.

The city is also seeking court permission to require 24-hour security at the building.

“We said, listen, you need security at this building, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, until it is no longer in your ownership, that is what we are willing to seek court permission for come Monday,” Sinclair said.

Residents seek resolution

Neighbor Kathy McDonald has been affected by the building’s condition.

“We need something done with this building; we need something done. I don’t know what the solution would be, but there has to be a solution,” McDonald said.

Sinclair said the city remains committed to addressing the issue.

“I want the residents to know we’re doing work on this every single day, and we’re going to see this through,” he said.

The building owners have pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges filed in December.

That case is working through the court system. On Monday, the city is also launching civil legal action to address the 24/7 security at the building that Sinclair mentioned the city wants to see.

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