Brad Anderson/Collegian
40 tenants were ordered to evacuate this building located on N. Howell St.
After a follow-up inspection on Monday, Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Pauken said the Keefer House is in violation of fire and building codes.
The Keefer House, located at 104 N. Howell St., is a low-income apartment complex privately managed by Page Nichols.
At the end of August, approximately 40 tenants were notified of a mandatory evacuation due to a power outage and lack of running water in the building.
After the subsequent inspection ordered by city attorney Lewis Loren, more violations were discovered and the remaining six tenants in the building may be asked to leave.
“When they lost power, it was an imminent danger to the tenants,” assistant city manager Linda Brown said. “It has never been our goal to move people out of there; we are just concerned about fixing the building’s violations.”
But many downtown Hillsdale residents would be happy to see the old building go.
In a two-page petition, 19 residents and small business owners asked City Council to condemn the property as hazardous, unsanitary and a threat to their businesses.
“The Keefer House is not an island unto itself,” the petition, written by Aimee England, owner of Volume One Bookstore on S. West St, said. “It has had a bad effect on our downtown businesses, as many customers don’t feel able to park safely near the Keefer House and walk to various owntown establishments.”
The petition also mentioned overflowing dumpsters, a strong waste odor and frequent police visits as several of the building’s downfalls.
Loren has taken up the issue and is looking to bring the violations before a judge.
“It used to be a beautiful hotel, and Buffalo Bill stayed there,” Pauken claimed. “It’s a 120-year-old building that is just in need of some [tender, loving, care].”