Front of the State Theater on South Michigan Street in South Bend in January 2021. Provided image
SOUTH BEND — Citing extensive water damage and a lack of communication with the city’s code enforcement department, a hearing officer Thursday issued $10,000 in fines to the owner of the historic State Theater in downtown South Bend.
At a code enforcement hearing, city inspectors detailed code violations, including crumbling bricks on the outside of the theater and water damage to the building’s roof, walls and interior. Inspectors said a pedestrian walking in the alley between the theater and the old Club Fever building was almost hit by a falling chunk of brick.
“Anyone walking past it can see the danger; the owner has to see the danger,” said hearing officer Michelle Engel before granting the city’s request for two $5,000 civil penalties.
Engel also affirmed a previous order to repair the building’s roof.
A representative from the building’s owner, Toscana Capital Group LLC, did not attend the hearing and the registered agent for the company, Richard Ejemenye, did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Copyright © 2024, South Bend Tribune