activists challenge Lawrence in Northside
Oliver Lawrence, long-time owner of much vacant property in the neighborhood, is being challenged by housing rights activists over ownership of one his vacant Northside properties:
Over the past month, community activists claiming rights as homesteaders have been fixing up 2913 Montrose Avenue, a property that they describe as having been vacant for 3 years. Given 24 hours on Monday to stop work and leave by the property owner, the notorious Oliver Lawrence, the protest/confrontation should play out during the day on Tuesday.
As a citizen of the neighborhood, I just have some questions to understand what is really going on?
What makes this man “notorius”?
What are you meaning when you say, “community activists claiming rights as homesteaders” to this property?
this is awesome and should happen much more often. you’re letting this perfectly good house rot? why thank you, don’t mind if i do.
resist!
Leah, Oliver Lawrence owns about 200 properties throughout the City. I personal visited about 50 of those address and everyone was vacant. He owes the City alot money in back taxes and has been taken to court multi times.
These are just a couple things that make him “notorius”. He should be made to live in one his houses.
If he owes the city money, can’t the city start seizing his assets (aka houses) and getting them back on the market – get em fixed up and occupied?
Hi Leah – here is one Q&A article from Monday, June 16, 2008 and a little piece below that from my favorite local news source – CHPN :)
What is being done about the burned out buildings on Grace Street? I thought the city was going to crack down on blighted building with their registry. I would like to hear from the owners and the city as to why they think this is acceptable or what concrete actions they are taking to remedy the situation … other than creating lists.
– Tom
Michael Wallace, city of Richmond public information manager III in the office of the press secretary to the Mayor, answers:
The City’s Vacant Building Registry program, established by Mayor Wilder in 2006, holds property owners accountable for the condition of their vacant properties and for the correction of any building code violation. The Spot Blight Abatement Program, also created by the Mayor in 2006, empowers the City to repair private properties and arrange for property resale in cases where the owner has not taken action.
The fire-damaged properties in question are owned by Mr. Oliver Lawrence of Bayou Properties. These properties, along with 44 other properties owned by Mr. Lawrence, were cited by the City in fall 2007 with more than 175 property maintenance code violations. A General District Court found Mr. Lawrence guilty on 150 violations and fined him $2,500 per violation. The fines were suspended by the Court provided that the violations are corrected by Mr. Lawrence by May 15, 2008. (Editor’s note: I await an update from Mr. Wallace on whether these violations were corrected in time. He is waiting to hear from the city attorney and the building commissioner.)
http://chpn.net/news/2007/11/29/owner-of-much-vacant-property-taken-to-court/
has anyone checked into what mr. lawrence has renovated and sold or rented since he began investing? and what were the conditions of the properties before he acquired them? has he made any improvements?