Public Nuisance Vote For 5 Joliet Properties

JOLIET, IL — It's been more than six months since Joliet gas station owner Samer Farhan boarded up his Gulf Gas Station at 212 South Larkin Avenue. The city of Joliet's neighborhood services division believes enough is enough. At Tuesday night's meeting, the Joliet City Council is expected to vote whether to declare Farhan's Gulf station a public nuisance.

"The property has been vacant and boarded for over 6 months," a city council memo states.

The empty Gulf station is one of five properties on the Tuesday night council agenda that are up for a vote. Four of the five properties are located on Joliet's west side.

Here's a rundown of the other four properties facing a City Council public nuisance vote.

200 North Center, Street, Joliet's near west side. Property owner is David White. "This is a two-story brick building with extensive damage from a fire that occurred on Oct. 20, 2019. The owner has not pulled any permits," city documents note.

702 Vista Lane, Joliet's near west side, near Broadway Street, property owner is Jacqueline Garcia. "There was a structure fire in November 2019. It has been vacant, no permits have been applied for and no rehab/maintenance completed since. There is severe fire damage to the lower unit and smoke, fire and water damage (to) the second unit," a city memo noted.

811 Summit Street, Joliet's near west side. Property owner is Rachel Horwath. "This is a single family 2-story ... it has been vacant with no maintenance completed since 2012," city reports show. "There have been recent breakins requiring police response and the city to secure and board up the building. The water has been off at the home for years and there is an outstanding $3,900 water bill."

1200 Pequot Street, Joliet's east side, near Mills Road. Property owner is Marion Hicks. "This property has been vacant since 2015. The interior has water damage and many violations," a city memo reports. "Water lines are missing."