The Overland Park City Council on Oct. 6 directed city staff to prepare a resolution finding the building at 8500 W. 150th Street unsafe or dangerous and ordering that it be repaired or removed and the premises made safe and secure.

The action followed a public hearing during which city staff and residents described repeated code violations, a new structural safety finding and recent steps by the owner to shore the building and submit engineered repair plans. Councilmembers debated whether to give the owner more time to complete repairs or to start the formal resolution process that can lead to demolition if the owner does not comply.

Code official Jim Brown reported that the owner’s contractor has obtained a permit for structural repairs, that an engineered design for the repair is approved, and that temporary shoring has been installed to support the roof trusses. Brown told the council the building “isn’t at immediate risk of collapse at the moment” but said the unsafe-structure finding made at an earlier meeting remains the primary concern. Staff initially recommended continuing the matter to Dec. 1 to allow repairs to proceed, but the council instead directed staff to prepare the unsafe-structure resolution for council consideration at a future meeting.

Charles Craft, the general contractor working on interior tenant finishes, told the council crews have installed temporary shoring and that geotechnical and structural contractors are engaged. Craft said the structural repairs—footings and new steel beams—should be finished “within 60 days for sure,” while exterior finishes could be delayed by weather and permit review; he gave a conservative target of 2026 for full exterior completion.

Sid Balakrishnan, a tenant who operates a gym in one portion of the building, told the council the business has suffered and urged prompt repairs: “This is a win‑win situation… I’m really excited to see all these changes come,” he said, adding recent months have been difficult for his business.

Several residents and neighbors told the council the property has been a long-running nuisance and safety concern. Elizabeth Krueger Lutha, a homeowner who lives adjacent to the site, asked the council to condemn the property “due to the dangerous and unsafe conditions identified by the code official,” citing structural alterations and prior modifications she said make the building hazardous.

Councilmembers and staff clarified the legal options. Staff attorney and officials explained that if the council adopts a resolution later finding the structure unsafe, the owner would be given a reasonable cure period. If the owner fails to remedy the condition, the city can step in to make the property safe or demolish it and place a special assessment on the property to recover costs.

Councilmember Newland moved to direct staff to prepare a resolution finding the structure unsafe or dangerous and ordering repairs or removal; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmembers who spoke said they expected staff to return with a resolution and supporting findings for council action at a subsequent meeting.

The council and code staff noted the difference between long-running exterior property‑maintenance code issues—some of which have been pursued in municipal court—and the more recent dangerous‑structure determination, which stems from unauthorized interior structural modifications. The hearing record shows the city adopted Resolution No. 5053 on July 21, 2025, to set a previous hearing; staff said the owner has since obtained a repair permit and installed temporary shoring, but councilmembers emphasized a need for accountability and a firm timetable for permanent repairs.

The council’s action starts the next formal step in the unsafe‑structure process: staff will prepare a draft resolution with findings and a cure period for council consideration. If adopted and not complied with, the resolution would authorize the city to proceed with abatement and place the cost on the property as a special assessment.