Crain Avenue Property Owner Plans Renovation

A house that stands apart from others on Crain Avenue, both for its aesthetic appeal and dilapidated condition, could see new life soon.

The owner of the house at 615 Crain Ave., at the corner of Crain and Miller avenues, has been issued a building permit to renovate the long-vacant structure.

The city issued a building permit this week to Sharie Meduri to remodel the home. Meduri plans to spend at least $30,000 on the renovations, according to the building permit.

Bridget Susel, acting head of the , said Meduri pulled the permits Monday and said she plans to move back into the house.

"She apparently was under a work contract out of state working, and that contract has ended and now she’s back," Susel said. "She said she’s going to fix up the house and move into it."

Meduri could not be reached for comment.

The house, and its vacancy, made headlines earlier this year for being one of eight properties in Kent that to the city for code violations. The fees were delinquent as of August 2011.

The code violations included an overall lack of exterior maintenance, roof deterioration, crumbling eaves and a deteriorated back porch door that doesn’t stay securely closed. The city fined Meduri $300 for the violations.

The building permit issued by the city Monday is valid for six months, so if Meduri doesn't start renovations within that time period the permit expires. However, if she starts work but does not finish within six months the permit can be extended as long as she shows progress and requests the necessary building inspections.

The renovation work does not absolve the property owner from the unpaid fines, which will be added as a tax lien on the property tax bill if left unpaid.

Kent City Council Ward 6 Representative Tracy Wallach said she's received complaints from residents about trespassers and open windows and doors at the house for the past six years.

Some people were even calling for its demolition, Wallach said.

"I’m very happy that it’s finally going to get renovated,” she said. "I think it’s fantastic. That house has been a problem for many years."

Susel said she's happy to see such a prominent house in one of Kent's larger neighborhoods could be revived after a long period of vacancy.

"An occupied house is always better than a vacant one," Susel said. "The city’s goal is always to maintain safe and decent housing. By having the homeowner come in and pull the permits so she can correct those issues is fantastic."