03/12/14 Monday night members of the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety conducted a hearing concerning the property at 400 East Jefferson Street, the former Clark Station.
Plymouth Building Commissioner Keith Hammonds said the state has a statue that says a building that has been boarded up for six months can be considered abandoned.
Michele Iqbal appeared at the meeting requesting a hold on the action. She told the board that she and her husband signed a land contract a couple of years ago with the deeded owner, Jai Bhagwaan who lives in Park Ridge, IL. She indicated that the contract is nearly paid off. When asked if the contract was recorded in the County Recorder’s office Iqbal said her husband handled all the paperwork and he was unable to be at the meeting due to the short notice and him being a work.
Hammonds said a registered letter was sent to the deeded owner on February 11th and it was signed for on the 13th. He did hear from the owner last Friday.
Iqbal, who lives next door at 406 Simon Street, right next door to the property indicated that they plan to open a convenience store. She also said they were recently contacted by a third party interested in purchase the property.
Mayor Mark Senter said, “It’s been abandoned for the 7 years I have been in office.” He continued, “When I started Operation Bright Spot two years ago this was on my list.”
Due to the new information being brought to light, members of the Board of Public Works and Safety tabled action until their March 31st meeting. At that point the Iqbals are to bring their plans for the property and the land contract to the meeting.
