BUCYRUS — Residents in the 100 block of Wallace Avenue are requesting the city administration condemn and tear down a house in their neighborhood.
Six Wallace Avenue residents signed a letter addressed to Mayor Jeff Reser and read by Council Clerk Todd Hill during the Bucyrus City Council meeting Tuesday evening.
In the letter, residents expressed their fears that had while the house at 115 Wallace Avenue was an active drug house.
It reads in part:
The last several months/years were definitely a hell that we wish to never go through again. Living beside and around a drug house paralyzes you from daily living. You become scared of the “what ifs” such as what is a drug deal goes bad and a stray bullet comes through a window?
Later in the letter the residents reference the recent drug bust at the house on August 22.
Our prayers were answered when we watched 115 Wallace be shut down. We are grateful to all involved. However, we know that our battle has not been completely won. We are asking that 115 Wallace be condemned and torn down. We have all been traumatized by what we have lived by and want nothing more than for it to be demolished.
The matter was referred to City Law Director Rob Ratliff for consideration by Council President Sis Love.
Ratliff said the issue of the fate of the house is already being considered.
Also, during the meeting, a resolution to allow an exemption of the sidewalk placement setbacks for the development of a Burger King at 1517 E. Mansfield St., was approved by council along with several other pieces of legislation during the hour-long meeting.
Ordinances passed include traffic control map changes, various appropriations and a community reinvestment area agreement. Resolutions passed by council, including U.S. Census, Ohio Department of Transportation paving of Quaker Road and ODOT bridge inspection program.
Council committee meetings are Thursday at 6 p.m. and the next regular council meeting is Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. at Bucyrus City Hall. Meetings are open to the public.