East Ridge commission orders condemnation steps, seeks cleanup bids for storm‑damaged house at 6101 Marietta Street

Chairperson Davis said the commission would begin formal steps on 6101 Marietta Street after staff reported the property “suffered storm damage” and that “half the house is on the ground.” The commission voted to place the structure into condemnation (if it is not already placarded), continue efforts to locate the owner for 30 days and solicit bids for cleanup.

The move followed a report from a city staff member that the August storm had damaged multiple houses and that this parcel had not had building permits pulled or repairs started. The staff member told the commission the dwelling appears uninhabitable and recommended demolition may be necessary: “by the looks of it, I say no. It needs to come down,” the staff member said.

Commissioners discussed the absence of a response from the owner and the limited contact information on the property card. Commissioners asked staff to check county tax records and other addresses for possible owner contacts; staff noted a possible related property under the name Nathan R. Johnson at 1839 Lela Lane, Chattanooga. The commission agreed staff should continue outreach, placard the property where necessary and post notices in public view.

While members emphasized giving the owner time to respond, they also directed staff to solicit contractor bids so the city would be ready to act if the owner did not make repairs. Vice Chairperson Souder moved the combined action — condemnation/placarding, continued owner search for 30 days and solicitation of cleanup bids — and the motion passed with affirmative votes recorded from commissioners.

The immediate next steps are for code enforcement to confirm posting and for staff to return with any new owner contact or bids. The commission did not authorize demolition at the meeting; it authorized condemnation and the procurement steps that would allow the city to proceed if the owner remains unresponsive.