Last month, we told you that a blighted and vacant property on Grays Ferry Ave. had received a Doors and Windows violation, and suggested that this might entice the property owners to sell in the near future. Today, we bring you another property just down the street that has likewise received a Doors and Windows violation of late. Friends, let’s together consider the splendor of 2539 Grays Ferry Ave.

Looks awful

Zoomed in

This building was once (long before our time) a corner store. Phillyhistory.org has a fine photo that captures most of the building in 1965.

Back in the day

According to a reader who lives nearby, the building is currently buckling and is in danger of collapse. In addition, the City has clearly noticed the lack of windows, as the violation would indicate. In fact, the building has a host of additional violations that remain open as well. The same reader indicates that the rear of the building has already collapsed and is covered with a tarp, but it’s unclear whether the City is aware of this.

Homes next door are in decent shape

John Baird, who apparently lives nearby, has owned the property since the 1980s. Surprisingly, considering the condition of the property, taxes are current. But if the owner doesn’t respond to the new violations in a timely fashion, liens could quickly pile up and force him to sell. Alternately, we would be just as happy to see the guy fix up his building before it falls over.

Hopefully, repairs or a sale will come in the very near future.

Update: After a conversation with L&I, we have some additional information. The building has been determined to be “unsafe” by L&I due to the collapse of the rear wall and a partial roof collapse. So clearly the City is aware of these issues. According to their structural engineers, the building is not in danger of collapse, or else it would have gotten an “imminently dangerous” violation. L&I is taking the owner of the property to court to force them to repair the building. In addition, there’s an open Doors and Windows case on the property, with 23 boarded or missing openings. The owner could be facing fines of up to $300/opening if the violations aren’t corrected.