Owensboro City Commissioners say a recent code enforcement action at the former Texas Gas property on Tamarack Road stems from years of resident complaints and the city’s effort to ensure property owners maintain their sites.
The comments come after the City of Owensboro issued a $67,033 citation against the property’s owner, The Shoppes at 3800 Frederica LLC, alleging multiple property maintenance violations, including an incomplete construction project, overgrown vegetation, graffiti, problem structures, dilapidated structures, and unsecured excavations.
According to city documents reviewed by Owensboro Times, the citation was issued following a May 15 inspection of the property. The largest portion of the penalty — $66,333 — is tied to the city’s allegation that a proposed commercial development project has remained incomplete. Additional fines were assessed for other alleged property maintenance violations. The property owner has the right to appeal the citation through the city’s code enforcement process.
While the citation has drawn attention because of the size of the fine, commissioners said the issue extends beyond a single property and reflects standards that apply throughout the city.
Commissioner Jeff Sanford said residents have repeatedly brought concerns about the property to city leaders.
“The ordinance that was passed pertains to anybody who has a site like that,” Sanford said. “It’s not just that we’re picking on them.”
Sanford said complaints about the property have been common for years.
“A lot of people got it to our attention, and they still do get it all the time,” Sanford said. “Every time I walk into, especially on the west side of town, they’re always asking about that site.”
He said the city works with property owners when there is communication and a clear plan for moving projects forward.
“We’re not hard to work with,” Sanford said. “If there are reasons why, and you explain it to the staff, and they come to us and say, ‘The reason why this hadn’t been done is because of this,’ and it makes sense, that’s cool.”
Sanford said city officials are focused on maintaining a positive appearance as Owensboro continues investing in community and economic development projects.
“We want a clean, nice, neat, safe city,” he said.
Commissioner Bob Glenn said city officials have heard concerns from residents about the property for some time.
“We have heard many complaints about the property,” Glenn said. “So it’s good that its condition may be improved in the long term.”
Glenn noted that the matter will ultimately move through the city’s code enforcement process.
“It will be up to the Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Board to adjudicate this matter,” he said.
Commissioner Curtis Maglinger said neglected properties can impact both the appearance of the community and future development opportunities.
“I fully support the city taking action to address long-standing property maintenance concerns at the former Texas Gas site,” Maglinger said. “Vacant and neglected properties affect safety, appearance, and future development opportunities in our community.”
Maglinger said property owners should be expected to maintain their properties and respond to concerns.
“Owensboro should expect property owners to be responsible, responsive, and good neighbors,” he said.
Commissioner Sharon NeSmith emphasized that the citation was issued under standards that apply to all businesses and property owners in the city.
“This is a private business, and unfortunately, plans to sell or reuse this facility have not surfaced,” NeSmith said. “The Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Board issued the citation following guidelines established and applicable to any business in the city.”
NeSmith said she understands why residents who live near the property have sought action.
“As an individual who lived in this area for many years, it is understandable why residents have been asking for actions regarding the property,” she said.
She added that she had hoped redevelopment opportunities would emerge at the site and contribute to growth in the area.
“As a commissioner, I had hoped development opportunities would have surfaced to reuse or replace the structure and add to the growing Southtown business corridor,” NeSmith said. “Hopefully, the citation will encourage owner actions to produce viable alternatives for the property.”
Property owners have not responded to multiple requests for comment.
