Bern Street duplex slated for demolition gets reprieve

Craven County property records show the duplex at 612-614 Bern St. was built in 1925.

A house in the Dryborough area that was targeted for demolition got another reprieve last week after New Bern aldermen tabled the action for 90 days to see if the owner will repair it.

An ordinance to demolish the dwelling at 612-614 Bern St. came before the board Feb. 25, but Alderman Dallas Blackiston asked that it be tabled until last Tuesday because he wanted more information and he thought the house could be a contributing historical structure in Dryborough.

Alderman Bernard White was also against the demolition.

The house may be deteriorating on the inside, but on the outside it looks as good as some in the historic district, White said.

The structure is a duplex and suffered substantial wind and water damage related to Hurricane Irene.

White asked why houses in the historic district were being repaired and houses in Dryborough were being torn down.

Jeff Ruggieri, director of Development Services, said the city was not allowed to demolish houses in the historic district. But the dwelling that is being considered for demolition is not in a historic designation, he said.

Alderman Victor Taylor asked if there has been any correspondence with the homeowner, but Ruggieri said there has been no progress. A couple of hours before the meeting, Ruggieri said he received notice that the homeowner retained Jimmy Dillahunt, planning board member and contractor, to see if there was asbestos or lead paint that needed removing from the dwelling, but that was a small part of what needed to be done, he said.

Development Services works with property owners to come up with a plan and a time schedule that needs to be followed to avoid fines, Ruggieri said.

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Bern Street duplex slated for demolition gets reprieve