Baltimore Housing Fights Blight and Wins In Court
Court orders negligent property owners to sell
(BALTIMORE - August 29, 2009) - Attorneys for Baltimore Housing prevailed in a long-running lawsuit to eliminate the blighting influence of the Lebow Building, a prominent former factory in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District located at 1500 Barclay Ave. On Tuesday, Judge Pamela White of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City granted the City’s request to appoint a receiver and ordered the owners to pay $58,000 in back fines to the City. The property, owned by New York based-Abraham Zion has been shuttered and deteriorating for many years. Once a marble-cutting and polishing operation factory, the property’s conspicuous dilapidation was an impediment to Station North’s renaissance and vitality.
Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano was pleased with the decision. He said, “Yesterday’s victory was a win for both the City and the community. We want to send a clear message to property owners that we will hold them accountable.”
Receivership is a code enforcement tool used when owners fail to rehabilitate vacant and unsafe structures. The process allows the City to gain control and ultimately auction dilapidated buildings, when property owners consistently fail to comply with the City’s building code. Angela Ruocco, Special Assistant City Solicitor, tried the case.
For more information, contact Cheron Porter, Director of Communications, at 410.396.4709 or cheron.porter@habc.org.
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