The Abilene Board of Building Standards voted Oct. 1 to declare 1749 North 12th Street a public nuisance and ordered the owner to demolish the structure or appeal to district court within 30 days.

Ricky Wright, the city’s property maintenance inspector, told the board the home had documented fire damage and repeated unauthorized occupancy by vagrants who constructed makeshift heaters, creating fire and sanitation risks. Wright said the Abilene Fire Department reported structure fires at the residence in consecutive years, and that city inspections confirmed unauthorized occupants and an unsecured, dilapidated structure.

Staff recorded a timeline beginning with reports of fire and unmaintained conditions in November 2021, owner-authorized property securing and later contractor securing, an affidavit of condemnation recorded Feb. 2025, and a board 30–60 order issued April 2, 2025. Wright said staff posted hearing notices Sept. 11, 2025 and that attempts to contact all listed owners have failed; one staff member told Wright they could not locate everyone listed on the title, and sale was not feasible without signatures.

Board member McNeil moved to adopt the staff recommendation that the property be declared a public nuisance and that repair would be unreasonable; Turner seconded. Roll call recorded Yes votes from Wyatt, Allred, McBrayer, McNeil, Turner and Beard; the motion passed. The board then voted on a separate motion, moved by McNeil and seconded by Turner, ordering the owner to demolish or appeal within 30 days; the roll call again recorded unanimous Yes votes of members present and the motion passed.

No city-funded demolition was authorized at the meeting; staff indicated the property will be scheduled for enforcement steps, including demolition and billing, if the owner does not act or file an appeal within the 30-day period.