For years it was a popular flea market and salvage operation.
Now it has been deemed a ‘dangerous building.?
Springfield Township officials have scheduled a ‘show cause? hearing for Thursday, June 10 for the Whoopee Bowl on Dixie Highway to answer for allegedly failing to answer an order from hearing officer John Steckling based on a March 21, 2003 hearing.
‘The owners and/or responsible parties have failed to comply with the order,? Steckling wrote on April 18. ‘I am requesting the township board to take the necessary action to enforce the order.?
The ‘finding of fact? from the 2003 hearing ? based on a professional engineer’s inspection ? lists seven specific ‘defects? to the building, including a partially collapsed roof, obstructed doors and stairway, openings at several locations, debris to the point of making the building ‘a dumping ground,? a large crack in an exterior wall and open and unstable storage trailers.
The hearing order directed the owner to effect repairs to all doors and windows and to clean up debris. In addition, an engineering study was to have taken place for a more comprehensive repair, with that plan to be subject to review of the township building department.
The order gives the owners ‘the option of demolishing the premises.?
All of the options have timelines between 30 and 90 dates from the date of the order.
Owner Donna Marlowe was surprised to hear of the township’s latest action, saying work has been done at the building since it closed about two years ago.
‘That’s been taken care of,? Marlowe said late last week. ‘We’ve been working on that. We’ve spent a lot of money.?
Township Clerk Nancy Strole said the condition of the building is not a new issue. While older buildings such as Whoopee Bowl are ‘pre-existing, non-conforming uses? under township zoning ordinance, there are basic rules governing all buildings.
‘We’ve gone through the process on a number of occasions,? Strole said, noting there is nothing in such orders about beautification of the property. ‘They’re not obligated to make them pretty, but they’re obligated to make them safe.?
Supervisor Collin Walls has been outspoken about the need for action to improve the Dixie Highway corridor, but he chose his words carefully about the procedures involving Whoopee Bowl.
‘We are talking about a quasi-judicial type of procedure,? he said, noting the burden of proof on the owner at the show cause hearing. ‘The township board must decide to approve or modify the hearing officer’s order, or drop it.?
Marlowe said she is weighing options concerning the possible sale of the property, with three offers currently on the table.