A demolition order was reversed last week for the fourth time as another round of new owners for 808 Benton St. promised city representatives this would be the time the derelict property was repaired.
It's a story the Poplar Bluff Building Standards Board has heard repeatedly, and not only for this home.
Frank Payne came before the board's recent compliance hearing to also request more time.
He has made what the city considers minimal repairs, two years after his order of demolition was issued and reversed. The 928 Maud St., property still sits with leaning walls and plywood covered exterior holes.
Kimberly Robertson swore to the board in April the three-story house she owns on North C would be kept secured as she tried to sell it.
The yard is overgrown and neighbors say it has been invaded by both animals and people.
While surrounding residents complain about falling property values and houses that can be misused by unwanted visitors of both the two and four-legged variety, the board has to weigh the good intentions of owners against the reality of what can be accomplished.
Farmington, Mo., based Property Home Management lists the Benton address as a "fixer upper" online.
Each time they sell the property, new owners ask for the demolition order to be reversed, city officials say. Each time new promises are made, and broken.
"It's been in that condition for probably five years at least," said code enforcement officer Daron House. "We've had owners step up ... people would get overwhelmed and they would leave, and they would just do it over and over and over again."
The city would benefit from renovation of this property, which is one of the oldest homes in that section of the city, said Nevada Young, city planning department secretary.
Owner Robert Povilat sent his daughter to ask for time while he retires and moves back from Alabama. An architect, he plans to make this his full-time project, explained Trieste Miller of Malden, Mo.
Her father is capable of this, having renovated a century-old home the family lived in at Malden, she said.
Board members agreed to reverse the order, after inspector Tony Chilton said this might be the only shot for this property.
The board will continue to watch the property and require updates, Young warned.
They were more reluctant to do the same for 800 W. Davis St., a badly fire damaged property with open holes in the roof.
Owned by Dianna Buhler, the family told the city in April it would be demolished as soon as they received an insurance settlement.
It has since been sent to tax sale for failure to pay property taxes.
Buhler brought a potential buyer to the board, Dan Sauls, who said he could make it livable with an investment of time and $15,000.
The board, which includes experienced builders, expressed doubt about Sauls' plan.
The whole house needs new electric and plumbing, in addition to the fire damage to walls, trusses and other areas, Chilton said.
The board agreed to set up an inspection of the property with board members before proceeding.
They also granted more time to Payne, who said work would begin on a new roof at the Maud Street address next week.
A property at 331 Short Fifth and 1205 Fairmount will also be reviewed again at the next meeting, while Robertson's property North C was sent to demolition.
The city has demolished three properties this year, at 1410 N. Main, 519 Kinzer and 228 S. C streets.
Plans are to demolish in the near future properties at 218 Relief, 100 E. Lexington and 201 W. Lexington, said Young.
Owners have also torn down derelict properties at 2801 Wilcox Road, 515 Kinzer, 907 North St., 125 S. Eighth and 931 Ivadene this year, she said.