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Old West Durham Neighborhood Association -
Concerns about substandard properties and house fires

1020 Alabama Avenue, in Old West Durham, owned by Lee Ray Bergman

Herald-Sun photo from Dec 2, 2001 This duplex rental property on the corner of Alabama and Lawndale Avenues burned in a fire on December 2, 2001, and was condemned by Kevin Easter of the City of Durham Housing department.

The entire front wall of the house was gone, as was part of the roof and parts of other walls; the doors and windows are all gone, boarded with plywood, and the inside was completely destroyed by the fire. The Old West Durham Neighborhood Association has seen the inspection report that was done after the fire, and it states that the wiring and plumbing systems were destroyed by the fire. See photos below, chronicling this "rehab" of this house. See below for latest update: 4/22/2002

Photos from April 22, 2002 (click any images to enlarge)

		UPDATE: The front half of the duplex has been renovated so far. Notice that the entire front yard has been covered in gravel from house to curb on the full width of the property. There is no longer any lawn. It appears that the owner intends to have the front lawn used as parking, even though adequate driveway space exists on the side of the house.
		As you can see in the near left photo, the back half of the house is still the original smoke and fire-damaged wood and walls; work is in progress. There is a new cinder block foundation in place.

Photos from March 3, 2002 (click any images to enlarge)

Photos from February 23, 2002 (click any images to enlarge)

Note that the front porch has been demolished and sits in the front yard. New beams are being nailed to the smoke-damaged existing roof trusses. OWDNA has informed Housing; an inspector is to visit the site to confirm whether this work activity is proper. The owner must provide the Housing Department with all the necessary drawings as to what can be saved and what has to be replaced. The owner may demolish the structure, but according to Housing no new work can take place until the drawings are approved and permits are issued.

Durham's Minimum Housing Code | Durham GIS Interactive Map |
N&O archive article on history of some of Durham's landlords

OWDNA Letter to Richard Valzonis, Durham Housing and Community Development:

February 18, 2002

Dear Richard Valzonis:

I am Vice President of the Old West Durham Neighborhood Association. I am forwarding to you a copy of an email I sent to Charlene Montford this morning about "repairs" being done by Lee Ray Bergman to a property that caught fire in December and was subsequently condemned.

As I explain in my letter, we have had two fires in Old West Durham since December, at least 4 in the past two years, and substandard, poorly maintained rental properties have been an ongoing source of concern in our neighborhood. We are fortunate that, at least thus far, these fires have not resulted in any loss of human life. But the frequency of these fires reveals a deep need for inspection, repair, and maintenance of substandard and run-down rental properties in our neighborhood to insure that they meet at least minimum housing codes, that landlords are forced to adhere to occupancy requirements, and that these codes and requirements are enforced.

Please get back to me about the Bergman property and about how to follow-up on and end the dangers posed by poorly maintained, substandard rental properties.

Sincerely,

Kelly Jarrett
Vice President
Old West Durham Neighborhood Association

OWDNA Letter to Charlene Montford, Director, Durham Housing and Community Development:

February 18, 2002

Dear Charlene Montford:

I'm writing to express my concern about "repair" work apparently being done on a (former) duplex at 1020 Alabama Ave. This duplex, owned by Lee Ray Bergman, was completely gutted by fire in December--the entire front wall of the house is gone, as is part of the roof and parts of other walls; the doors and windows are all gone, boarded with plywood, and the inside was completely destroyed by the fire. I have seen the inspection report that was done after the fire, and it states that the wiring and plumbing systems were destroyed by the fire.

At the time of the fire there were 7 adult males living in the duplex, in clear violation of the minimum square footage/occupant requirement in the housing code. Despite the fact that the duplex was nearly completely destroyed by fire, a new electrical box was put up and Bergman is apparently planning to "renovate" and rerent this property.

This property was poorly maintained before the fire, and, given its number of occupants, Bergman Rentals clearly did a poor job of monitoring it. I am greatly concerned that Bergman is attempting to repair a property that is currently condemned and seems an appropriate candidate only for razing--especially given his proven track record of inadequately maintaining this property.

My questions: 1) Is it legal to repair a property that has been so severely burned? 2) If it is legal, who is responsible for making certain that the building is structurally sound (I cannot believe, given the severity of the fire, that the foundation, floor supports, rafters, or walls are sound or usable and the inspection report states that there is no plumbing or wiring intact) and that any work done is done safely, done well, and meets codes? 3) How can I be informed that this work is being inspected and can the inspector(s) be instructed to send me copies of all their inspection reports?

My neighborhood has suffered two fires since December, the fire at 1020 Alabama and a second at 2707 Lawndale. These fires were within walking distance of each other and both were in rental properties that were poorly maintained. Clearly, we need to figure out a way to insure that these rental properties are inspected and that landlords be required to bring them to code, maintain them, and enforce occupancy requirements.

Please email me and let me know what you plan to do about the Bergman property at 1020 Alabama and send me copies of any inspection reports that are done.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly Jarrett
Vice President
Old West Durham Neighborhood Association

2707 Lawndale Avenue, Owned by C E F REALTY CO INC

This duplex rental property, between Alabama Ave. and Golf St., burned in a fire on January 8, 2002. One side suffered massive smoke, fire and water damage and is uninhabitable; the other side suffered water and smoke damage and is still occupied.	Photos from February 18, 2002 (this photo and those below, click to enlarge).