Gym owner urges demolition of unsafe building at 525 Avocado Street; committee moves into executive session

Eric Bartolome, owner of Maverick Muay Thai Academy at 505 Avocado Street, urged the committee to approve demolition of an adjacent unsafe structure at 525 Avocado Street, saying the building has been the site of drug use, property destruction and other dangerous activity.
Bartolome said his gym serves students “from 5 to adult” and described repeated safety incidents near the building, including drug use and property damage. “We believe that [our students] deserve a safe place to train... and we support this initiative,” he told the committee during public testimony.
Following public testimony, the committee convened into executive session to consult with the city’s attorneys on a set of posted legal items, including “resolution of legal action to demolish unsafe structures at 525 Avocado Street.” No final vote or public decision was recorded before the meeting moved into closed session.