Merle Hay Neighborhood Association

On May 31 at 9:00 A.M. there will be a court hearing regarding the property @ 4017-55th which has been 'condemned' and vacant about 3 years. The courtroom is not yet known. (I'll try to remember to post it when known.)

It will be determined then whether the house should be torn down or fixed-up. Because of it's position on the lot, FAR BACK, and the huge sycamore & cedar trees which prevent much improvement, I am in favor of it being town down so a decent house can go in. You can see the way the current owner has ''fixed-it-up'' by putting cheap siding over the outside. I can't believe there would be any more than just cosmetic facing changes if it is allowed to remain.

Contact Ben Bishop @ 237-1449 or bcbishop@ci.des-moines.ia.us to let him know your thoughts, I hope you also are in favor of removing this eyesore. A vote may be taken at the April 11 meeting for an assn. recommendation.

House info & picture

For a picture & description go to the Polk County Assessor website from the MHNA homepage or http://www.co.polk.ia.us/departments/assessor/assessor.htm . From the Assessor homepage clink on 'Enter the Database & website'. Next page - Property Search, next page - General Query, next page 4017 - 55th. The picture is when the house was all olive green, now it is part cheap gray siding over rotting siding. Since a nice new house was just built at 54th & Aurora I think this would be a good spot for another new house.

place

The hearing is with Judge Gamble at the Polk Cnty Cthse - exact room unkwn.

By pm

90 days given

The 5/31 hearing was cancelled because an ''agreement'' was reached a couple of days before. The owners were given 30 days to have the permits ''pulled'' (applied & paid for) and the work is to be done in 90 days, so near the end of August. Today, 6/29, a lawn mower sits in the tall (18'') grass, & very few hours have been spent working on the mess. I've seen vehicles there twice. If not done in 90 days the city can demolish it. More loopholes then?