Board Orders Demolition of Former Florists Building

Story by John Hutoari of Oak Ridge Today

(Oak Ridge Today) Thursday the Oak Rid

ge Board of Building and Housing Code Appeals voted unanimously to order the owner of the former Price Florist building on Oak Ridge Turnpike to demolish it within 60 days. The Board had considered whether to issue a demolition or repair order for the once-thriving store during three other meetings this year, but members had given property owner Patricia Warren of Crossville several extensions to allow her time to come back with a sales contract, repair plan, or demolition permit. On Thursday, they said she had run out of time. Warren has cleaned up the property and had hoped to sell the 0.35-acre site. But on Thursday, she said it hasn’t sold yet. Warren said she has hired contractor Laurel Patrick to determine whether it can be repaired or demolished. If it can be repaired, Patrick will submit a detailed plan and should have an expected construction start date by Monday, Warren said. If it isn’t worth repairing, a demolition permit will be sought, Warren said. In June, the board declared the building a nuisance and unfit for human occupation or use. Earlier this year, the city staff said the now-unused building was in severe disrepair, citing fire code violations, a leaking roof, electrical hazards, plumbing issues, and broken concrete floors, among other things.