Scene of a Tragedy is Transformed into a Treatment Center Through Receivership
Sometimes, the right move is to start over. That proved the best option for one dilapidated property that California Receivership Group was appointed to remedy under the Health and Safety Code.
When the owner failed to respond to repeated notices to abate legions of health and safety violations at their duplex, one central California city petitioned the Superior Court to appoint a receiver to take charge. Tragically, an occupant had died during a fire that started onsite while they were under the influence of drugs. Fast action was needed to avoid another catastrophe and ensure the safety of neighboring properties.
When we arrived onsite we found that the building lacked a permanent electrical system. With exposed wiring and a significant amount of debris, both inside and out, there was a serious fire risk at this already fire-damaged property, which was heightened by the absence of smoke alarms. Exiting the building in the event of an emergency was problematic due to stacks of debris that blocked ingress and egress points. Neglect and water damage onsite left walls and ceilings with gaping holes.
Photos of the Property Before Receivership
The Blighted Property is Deemed Unsalvageable
Once appointed by a judge, California Receivership Group was on-site immediately to perform an initial inspection and develop a rehabilitation plan. We confirmed municipal code enforcement’s reports while also noting signs of potential asbestos contamination. Though the home was essentially abandoned, graffiti and personal items including a children’s teddy bear suggested the presence of squatters or transients. Discarded cars littered the ground and the blight was so substantial that CRG believed the property to be partially unsalvageable.
Fire Hazard Becomes an Aid for Fire Safety
Although we’ve performed major renovations both before and since, this particular scenario made demolition the most feasible option. The continued negligence from the owners plus the comparatively low cost of leveling versus restoring allowed us to give the property a new beginning from the ground up. Once we had cleaned out the property and safely disposed of the hazardous material, we gave the City’s fire department the opportunity to use the property for a practice drill and training exercise, including a controlled burn—a fitting reversal of the property’s initial status as a fire hazard.
Abandoned Property Transforms into a Site for Addiction Recovery
CRG came to this address under adverse circumstances, but thankfully our story has a happy ending. Following demolition, a local non-profit specializing in addiction recovery purchased the land, providing the owners’ relatives with the sale’s net proceeds. The non-profit currently plans to build classrooms for rehabilitation and substance abuse awareness at the site, giving the neighborhood a stable, beneficial force where chaos and blight once stood.
Property Before Receivership
Following the controlled burn, CRG demolished the structure and removed the remaining debris. Creating space for a new use of this site.
Property After Receivership
