Licenses and Inspections to work with community to identify problem structures

Today L&I Commissioner Frances Burns launched the Department’s a collaborative system of programmed inspections, a more proactive and holistic approach to conducting inspections.  While still responding to the service requests received from the 311 system, the Department will begin performing planned and periodic inspections in communities throughout the City.  In some instances, such as today’s event in Carroll Park, the Department will partner with community groups to conduct full block surveys of different neighborhoods.  L&I will inspect, reinspect, and then perform then take the appropriate action. 

“Programmatic neighborhood inspections allow L&I to have a more immediate and complete impact on the character of communities,” said Commissioner Burns.  “Instead of solely waiting for complaints to come to us, L&I will begin working with neighborhoods proactively to identify problem structures.”

In the Carroll Park area of the City, Commissioner Burns attended a community meeting in which the group reached out to her to ask her to help rehabilitate their neighborhood.   L&I then sent a collaborative team of building, housing, and fire inspectors out to the Carroll Park area.  The building inspectors inspected for structural damage, while the housing and fire inspectors inspected for property maintenance issues.  The data was collected in a centralized area and the appropriate violation notices were issued. 

In total approximately 2,300 properties over a 45 block radius in the Carroll Park area were inspected.  240 violations for property maintenance were issued.  42 properties were found to be vacant and open and three properties are slated for demolition.  Demolitions and “clean and seals” will commence immediately.

Maura Kennedy
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of Mayor Nutter
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