FIRE TRUCKS DISPATCHED TO THE DANGEROUS DEMOLITION SITE ON MORTON AVENUE, THAT IS STILL WIDE OPEN
Written By Johnny Kincaid For The City-County Observer
Updated July 3, 2024
Over the weekend fire crews were dispatched to 119 N. Morton Avenue, a 13-acre plot of land that has not been cleaned up from the fire that destroyed the Morton Avenue Warehouse 20 months ago.
While the weekend fire was small and extinguished quickly, it is a reminder of the dangers on the property. The lot is covered with piles of bricks and twisted steel. Roadways have been cut through the debris to allow access to trucks and demolition
equipment that never seems to arrive. Portions of buildings that have been weakened by fire are still standing but appear to be capable of collapsing at any moment.
Sources tell us that the fire started in furniture dumped at the site, which has become a dumping spot for mattresses, sofas, and chairs in recent months.
No action has been taken in the months since the City-County Observer brought this dangerous situation to the attention of the city. No work has been done to clean up the ruble, and no security fence has been erected to keep people out. The lot remains open and easy to access. The one change in the location is the lone “No Trespassing” has been ripped down.
On any given day, you will still find pickup trucks driving through the property to collect scraps of steel.
Evansville Building Commissioner Johnny McAlister previously told CCO that he and other inspectors had issued citations, but when asked for copies of the citations, the city was unable to locate them.
The mayor’s office has still not issued a statement on the situation.
Great article. Common theme no accountability. The old Pearl Laundry site is another one. Demo work started because it was brought up again. Worked started, now look at it. Worked stopped, equipment has been removed. No follow up, no accountability.
Of course , it’s Jimtown ! One of the most neglected parts of Evansville !