Eyesore Comes Down in University Area

Parents and children used to live together here, gathering around the dining room table and following all of the other patterns of typical family life.

But ever since a 2009 arson fire and subsequent foreclosure left the Las Casitas apartment complex vacant, it has became a gathering place for vagrants and an eyesore in the University Area.

No more, though. Hillsborough County Code Enforcement today (Nov. 1) began demolishing the portion of the complex that it had condemned – a four-unit quadrant.

Connie Simpson came to watch this morning as a backhoe clawed away at the single-story structure at 1304 E. 136^th St., just north of Fletcher Avenue.

"It needed to come down or be redone," said Simpson, whose family owns a neighboring duplex, a house across the street and on the corner.

It is costing the county an estimated $8,000 for the demolition and removal of the debris, said Code Enforcement Supervisor Bill Langford. "There's never enough money (for removing condemned structures) and we try to remove the worst first," he said.

Calling it a “detriment to the community,” Langford said homeless people sometimes slept in the building and there was evidence that stolen copper was being brought here to be stripped and later sold.

The other three buildings at the abandoned complex are structurally sound and have not been condemned, Langford said, adding a new owner has purchased one of the structures. He hopes the others are put on the market by owner Bank of America, purchased and then all occupied in a quick fashion.

Lots of Foreclosures

What happened at this property is a sign of the times.

“There's a lot of multifamily units that we are seeing, more and more, boarded up because of the foreclosures and the economy,” Langford said. "But there's definitely a need for affordable housing, so without a doubt we would like to see these units rented out and definitely not being vandalized.”

Langford has a message for others who notice such eyesores.

"If you have these type of problems in your community, let us know," he said. "We may not fix it as quickly as some would like us to, but we will definitely get working on it and try our best to resolve all of the issues.”

In a neighborhood that has concerns over trash, crime, drugs and derelict properties, one University Area resident is pleased that 1304 E. 136th St. is now one less issue.

“It made the place look really ugly,” said onlooker and mother Sabrina, who did not want her last name used.

Operation Fight the Blight

Code Enforcement may condemn other dilapidated and abandoned properties in the University Area on Thursday (Nov. 3) when it kicks off its 10-day sweep called Operation Fight the Blight. Working with other agencies such as the Sheriff's Office and Animal Services, the county will be removing trash and debris, issuing violations and making efforts to reduce crime within the University Area community.

The clean sweep will focus on the area north at East Bearss Avenue from North 22^nd Street, south to East Fletcher Avenue and west to North Nebraska Avenue.

To reach Hillsborough County Code Enforcement about problem properties, visit their website or call (813) 274-6600.