1. Rosalie DeLarme Program Manager Department of Code Enforcement
Demolition Program
Rosalie DeLarme
Program Manager
Department of Code Enforcement

2. Key Facts
DCE’s budget for demolition is approximately $850,000, which includes emergency demolition costs.
The average cost of a demolition for a house is $12,000-$20,000.
Emergency demolition costs for a house typically fall between $15,000-$30,000.
Emergency Demolition of a commercial structure can be over $150,000.
In 2016, DCE aims to bid-out demolition packages each quarter, with a goal of 40 properties for the fiscal year.

3. History and Current Criteria
In October of 2014 control of the Unsafe Building Program reverted back to DCE. The Demolition portion of this program was reviewed for process improvement opportunities.
Standards for properties rising to the level of demolition were established through collaboration with DCE Construction Services, Property Safety & Maintenance, local health code, and State Law. These standards are intended to ensure the best use of limited available funds.
The new standards established focus on the structural integrity of a structure. DCE then reviewed and inspected every active demolition case previously issued.
This review caused many structures to have demolition orders released and repair orders issued to allow the homeowner or future homeowner the ability to rehabilitate the condition, rather than demolish.

4. Process Property is reported for inspection by DCE.
Property is inspected by DCE for potential violations
Case is issued by DCE (repair or demolition)
A notice of violation is mailed to the owner to allow due process to remediate the violation of the Unsafe Building Law
DCE holds hearings every month for the Unsafe Building Program, presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
During these hearings, both repair and demolition cases are heard by the ALJ.

5. Process Continued
The ALJ may ‘Affirm to Bid’ a demolition legal case in which the City has met its burden to show that the structure warrants demolition.
This ‘Affirm to Bid’ order allows the City the option to demolish the structure should the funds and opportunity be available. Without available funds or opportunity, the burden still lies on the owner or future owner to repair or demolish the structure.

6. Demolition Bid Packages
Determination of what properties will be demolished is made by a cross-functional, multi-agency input and data
Public Safety data (police runs and reports), case management data, photos, and history of each property is discussed to determine the top blighted properties to be considered for bid package that rise to the level of public safety concern and meet DCE standards.
Properties that are considered are the properties that have been affirmed to bid only.

7. Bid Package
Once properties are selected for demolition by the City, notice must be sent to all interested parties of each property of the upcoming Bid for Demolition.
Notice of Public Bid is published via the IndyStar
Timeline of all portions of the bid process are done through the City’s Purchasing Department and State Statute must be followed for publication and mailings.
After the bid is received, a selection committee selects the winner of the bid, based upon the criteria submitted.
Contract is written and sent to Purchasing for approval.
Each property is required to have an asbestos inspection done by a 3rd party vendor

8. Bid Package Continued
When results of asbestos inspection are received, those properties containing asbestos are remediated by another 3rd party vendor prior to demolition.
Successful asbestos remediation is inspected by DCE’s Environmental Services Bureau to ensure no asbestos remains on site.
Once signed by Purchasing, the demolition contract is executed by DCE.
Demolition of all properties in a bid package is within 60 days of successful execution of contract.

9. Conclusion
The Department of Code Enforcement continues to work with its partners at the Department of Public Safety and the Department Metropolitan Development to find ways to combat vacant and abandoned housing in Indianapolis.
Efforts such as multi-agency sweeps, legislative changes, and other future programs are on-going efforts to maximize the Unsafe Building Law.
If DCE does not know if there is a problem with a property, then DCE cannot address the problem.
To report a vacant/ abandoned unsafe building or a vacant building that needs to boarded, please call the Mayor’s Action Center at: MAC (4622)
A request can be submitted through the Request Indy phone application or through indy.gov