MOUNT VERNON — A home on the city’s east side has been ordered demolished after the owner failed to fix deteriorating conditions that include rats.
The Board of Property and Maintenance Appeals condemned the house at 92 Quarry St. on Wednesday and gave owner John P. Ellis 90 days to demolish the structure.
Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer Brian Marvin initially inspected the house in July 2025.
At the time, the home was already vacant, surrounded by overgrown weeds and debris. It also had abandoned appliances littering the back porch.
Marvin sent a notice to the property owner asking that the mess be cleaned up. He said Ellis did not respond.
“In January of 2026, I was called out by one of the neighbors who basically had enough,” Marvin said. “He said he’s sick of the rodents, sick of all the debris and all the problems going on there.”
When Marvin returned to investigate, snow was on the ground. He saw animal tracks leading to and from the house through what appeared to be broken windows.
“Nothing had changed in the back of the property, none of the debris was cleaned up, appliances were still there,” Marvin said.
He sent a second notice on Jan. 22. According to Marvin, Ellis indicated he was waiting for the Knox County Land Bank to help him with demolition.
A March conversation allegedly elicited the same response. However, neither Marvin nor City Inspector Scott Zimmerman received written communication from the land bank about potentially helping with demolition.
Board pushes for a quick timeline
Marvin said Ellis told him previous flooding in the basement saturated the wood and mold is an issue.
“He told me the property is non-salvageable and needs to be destroyed as no one can live in it anymore,” Marvin said.
“At that time, I decided our citizens should not have to live with these animal-ridden vacant homes in their neighborhoods. I wouldn’t want to live next to one.”
Marvin filed a condemnation request.
The board has granted up to 180 days for demolition in previous cases based on financial hardship.
However, Marvin said Ellis runs a company that demolishes homes. He said Ellis has the financial resources, equipment and employees to have demolished the house months ago.
“I would like to get this thing out of the neighborhood so that these neighbors don’t have to look at this anymore,” he said.
Ellis did not attend the appeals board meeting.
If Ellis does not comply with the board’s 90-day demolition order, the city could demolish it and assess the cost to Ellis. If Ellis declines to pay, the city will attach the charge to the parcel’s property taxes.
Board grants reprieve for fire-damaged home
In March, the board gave homeowner Terri Fisher 30 days to mitigate fire damage and 90 days to begin rehabilitation on the house at 106 E. Lamartine St. If she did not, the board would order condemnation and demolition.
On Wednesday, board members decided to delay action until Oct. 14.
Fisher hired ServPro to handle mitigation and rehabilitation. However, payment and hiring issues delayed the process.
Fisher has since paid ServPro for new windows and doors and gave the company power of attorney to work with the mortgage company on future payments.
Marvin said ServPro plans to resume work next week on the windows and doors.
“Our concerns now are, are we going to see completion on this project and how much time do we need to give her to ensure things stay on track,” he said.
“I’d like to see the house saved if it can be, but I also don’t want this neighborhood to live with this situation indefinitely having a burned-out hole of a home.”
However, he advocated strict compliance parameters within 30 days. He said squatters have occupied the residence, windows are broken and finances are a concern.
Marvin said Fisher installed a new chain link fence and concrete sidewalk, both without permits, along with a portable building. His concern is that Fisher used money intended to rehabilitate the home on those amenities.
No more extensions
City inspector Zimmerman said there should be no more extensions after Oct. 14 unless there are “very extenuating circumstances.”
“I believe you all as a board and myself and Mr. Marvin in our department have been more than accommodating to the best of our ability with this individual,” he said.
“I do have some reservations, but those will be taken care of and it will be well on its way to being rehabbed in 30 days, or I will be very firm in demolition.”
Zimmerman said “well on its way” includes windows and doors replaced, siding either repaired or demonstrated to be on delivery, and most of the interior drywall installed.
Fisher did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
