Tracy Apartments likely to be demolished, Corbin Building Inspector says

A controversial vacant apartment complex in downtown Corbin may soon be a thing of the past, the town’s Building Inspector said this week.

Tracy Apartments, located on Kentucky Ave. near O’Neil Funeral Home, could be demolished in the near future if the new owner of the dilapidated and troubled structure carries through with plans currently on the table. Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke said a company claiming to work for the new owner of the building told him that plans to renovate the structure into six condominium units has been scuttled.

"It sounded good, I think, but evidently the building has moved somewhat in the time it has been vacant. As far as I know now, plans are to demolish the building," Burke said. "There is a structural flaw in one corner … I don’t’ think it is in danger of imminent collapse right now, but if it has moved like I was told, then there is a danger to it there."

The "flaw" consists of a corner of the building that is pulling away from the rest. It has gotten worse over the years. Burke said he is told it can be fixed, but said he would likely require assurances from a structural engineer or architect before allowing it to be inhabited if it were to be remodeled.

The recent history of Tracy Apartments is an ignominious one. In 2005, Burke with the aid of health department officials and Corbin Fire Department officials condemned the structure and ordered it vacated after inspectors found numerous health and safety violations. The condemnation set off a weeklong relocation effort for complex residents, many who moved into Housing Authority units. It has been vacant since.

Violations included problems with the apartment complex’s boiler, electrical issues and back flowing sewer. Residents lived, for a time, without running water because former owners failed to pay the utility bill.

In 2007, the Housing Authority of Corbin Board of Directors flirted, for a short time, with transforming the building into low-income housing. The idea was dropped when it was determined that parking near the complex was insufficient and that the cost of renovations would be too costly.

It was purchased at a Master Commissioner’s sale in 2007 for $5,000 and later given to American Legion Post #88 in hopes the group could use it as a Veteran’s Administration clinic or similar center. The idea never came to fruition.

Under pressure to fix ongoing property maintenance issues with the building, the Legion sold the property to London businessman Andy Sowders on March 18 for $10,000.

Burke said the Legion had been issued a citation for property maintenance issues on March 2, but sold the building before receiving notice they had been cited.

Burke said Sowders is owner of Andy’s Backhoe and Excavation, but has apparently contracted with another firm to tear down Tracy Apartments.

Tracy Apartments is close to Kentucky Ave., but is also very near two other buildings – the law office of Howard O. Mann and a duplex owned by Peggy Bruce Smith. Burke said both have expressed concern that demolition of the apartments could cause damage to their property.

"I don’t think it is just something you can push over and clean up," Burke said. "I’d like to talk with the contractor to determine exactly what approach they plan to take if they tear it down."

Burke said the city of Corbin has no permit requirements for demolition.

If the new owner decides to salvage the building, Burke said he would require plans and a timetable by which renovations would be completed.