Commission orders demolition of fire‑damaged Chester’s Lounge building at 3121 E. 12th St.

The Building and Standards Commission voted to adopt staff’s findings and to order the demolition of a fire‑damaged commercial building at 3121 East 12th Street, formerly known as Chester’s Lounge.

Vice Chair Michael Francis opened the case and City code inspector Michael Larner presented evidence showing the vacant, single‑story building had unsecured doors, heavy graffiti, accumulation of trash and a large pile of tires, and severe interior fire damage observed in November. Larner said repeated notices and administrative citations date back to February 2025 and staff marked photographs as exhibits 2A–2L to document roof, foundation and boarding failures.

“On 11/10/2025 I conducted an inspection and found all the boards securing the windows and doors had been removed. I checked the building and learned a fire had taken place over the weekend. All the insides of the building were completely burned,” Inspector Michael Larner said during his presentation.

Staff asked the commission to adopt proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and to order the owner to obtain necessary permits, demolish the fire‑damaged portions of the structure and remove debris within the compliance period specified in the order. Staff told the commission the code official would be authorized to proceed with demolition on the day after the compliance deadline if the owner had not complied, and the city could assess the expenses against the property and record a lien; interest would accrue at 10% per year from the assessment date until paid.

Ian McQuestion, appearing remotely as the property representative for 3121 East Twelfth Horizontal Investors LP, told the commission the owner consented to the city’s request and planned to file for a site‑plan exemption and a demolition permit before proceeding.

A commissioner moved to adopt staff’s proposed findings and recommended order in full; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with all commissioners voting aye.

The commission directed staff to mail a copy of the order to the property representative and confirmed the city’s authority to pursue demolition and assessment of expenses if compliance is not achieved.