Down goes the Dog House

SANDUSKY — Monday marked a major turning point for a neighborhood burdened for years by a nuisance site. And, in one fell swoop, coming from a construction vehicle, the property instantly flipped: from being a problem to having great potential. Along with area residents, those representing Erie County's and Sandusky's governments showed up to watch a former establishment, known as both Amirah's Turn and the Dog House Bar, get razed at West Jefferson and McDonough streets. When the structure began to collapse, people in attendance — especially those living nearby — clapped, cheered and smiled. Truly, they couldn't have been happier. "Tearing down that building was a huge sign of relief for everyone who lives in the neighborhood," area resident Samantha Maschari said. "We can all sleep better knowing that the building is gone and no longer will be a nuisance." Caleb Stidham, the county's treasurer, shared a similar sentiment: "This is a great day for Erie County and the city of Sandusky." Stidham oversees the county's land reutilization corporation, better known as the land bank. Earlier this year, the city acquired this site and partnered with land bank officials — which include its director, Alex Jones — in leveling it. The land bank fronted all costs, about $95,000, related to demolition. It receives funding through delinquent property taxes generated in Erie County. Stidham then explained the land bank's mission. It centers on "improving our community through reducing blight and increasing property values," he said. Regarding Amirah's Turn, "We are confident that the outcome will be a better quality of life for residents in that neighborhood," Stidham said. Too much trouble Back in August, Sandusky's city commission supported legislation so the land bank could bulldoze this site. Sandusky city commissioner Dennis Murray Jr. thanked staff members, and specifically Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver, for their persistence in eliminating a yearslong issue. "It was a long saga," Murray said. "It is so frustrating for residents to have to deal with these things because the law allows us to move only with a certain amount of speed. Due process requires that." Murray then noted, while the process resulting in a demolition work order seemed slow, "The city moved just as quickly as it could." Incidents requiring police intervention at or outside the bar, located smack-dab in a neighborhood, occurred numerously and at alarming rates. This included weapons offenses, disorderly conduct instances, assaults and shootings. Regarding the shootings, most notably: • In June 2020, two men were shot outside of the bar. • In April 2021, a report of "shots fired" occurred outside of the bar, where officers found casings outside on the ground. Additionally, state agencies cited the bar twice for failure to comply with COVID-19 protocols. Oliver noted, in its last operational year, officers went there about 150 times. "The business was nothing but a scourge on the neighborhood," Oliver said. "We are very pleased that it's been closed." Back in February, officials reached a settlement in Erie County Common Pleas Court to permanently shutter Amirah's Turn. Five months beforehand, in September 2021, the bar originally closed on an emergency temporary restraining order after Sandusky's government filed a suit against it for repeated instances of alleged misconduct. The February agreement, authorized by bar owners Jeanie Crabb and Ambrian Lewis, stipulated they must sell the building to the city. In return, the city wouldn't pursue any nuisance-related charges or participate in prosecuting them for then-pending complaints. "From the city's perspective, we are happy we reached an agreement with the owners because it ensures the bar will remain shut down," city law director Brendan Heil said. "The nuisance will be abated, and the neighborhood will never have to deal with this in the future." Court documents show the building's former owners sold it to Sandusky for $95,000. From this amount: • Crabb and Lewis received $65,000. • Former owners William Butler and Letesia Jones obtained $30,000. A new vision For many years, nearly every resident living by this establishment wanted the business to shut down due to these aforementioned issues and others. Among a couple of locals who previously posted on Register platforms when the establishment was open: • Cathy Didion: It is a shame that the neighborhood has to put up with this. • Heather Ginnever: I live down the street: People yelling at 2 a.m. again is not cool. Sandusky ex officio mayor Dick Brady heard many of those same comments. It convinced him to serve as a leading voice in closing this bar for good and demolishing its physical presence. Brady said the commission would consider selling the lot to a neighbor. It might even be sold to Firelands Habitat for Humanity, which can construct a new house for a community member in need. Regardless of what occurs, anything would be better than what was there, Brady said. During Monday's ceremony, Brady read a speech before razing-related activities occurred: I can tell you, with certainty, that the demolition of this structure today will save lives. None of us will ever know whose life will be saved because of the efforts of so many agencies and so many individuals: an elderly neighbor standing on their porch, an infant sleeping in a crib, a customer going to their car, a police officer responding to any one of the dozens of calls to this location. It was not a question of if someone would lose their life. It was a question of when. It took the cooperation of several agencies and several individuals to get us here today: • Our commission gave our (interim city manager) John Orzech and (law director) Brendan Heil the authority to pursue closing this business. • It took the cooperation of the courts and Judge (Roger) Binette to allow them to negotiate this sale. • It took dozens of responses from our police department to build our nuisance case. • It took two of our undercover officers almost losing their lives right here to increase our resolve. • The Erie County Sheriff's Office, under a court order, boarded up the building for good this past spring. Today, with the efforts of the Erie County treasurer, Caleb Stidham, providing the necessary funds to demolish this structure, we rid this neighborhood and this city of a truly blighted piece of property. It is my hope that a very clear message goes out from this celebration to any business owner in Sandusky that chooses to allow (his/her) customers to act in an unlawful or uncivilized way. If this type of behavior is repeated anywhere in this city, if we experience the number of police calls this business did, if your patrons have the nerve to discharge a firearm, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will close the business you are patronizing. To the neighbors, I want to say thank you. You had to wait far too long for this day. Unfortunately, these things take time. In April, I sent every resident in a 10-block area a letter explaining that this commission would pursue every avenue to give you back your neighborhood. It took us longer than anyone wanted, but, today, we are delivering on that promise. Once again, this neighborhood and this corner have a bright future. Let's make the most of it.