Storyline · 11 events · Mar 2017 – Oct 13, 2026
Amarillo's dangerous-structure demolitions and the in-house demolition program (2017-2026)
The City of Amarillo's City Marshal's Office, created in 2023, identifies dangerous structures and brings cases to the Condemnation Appeals Commission, which can order demolition; demolitions were bid out to contractors. In August 2025 staff proposed a solid waste fee increase to fund an in-house dangerous structure removal program, and the FY2025/26 budget adopted in September 2025 included $715,000 for demolition equipment and two Solid Waste equipment operators. In December 2025 the council changed how commission members are appointed. The council approved an excavator, roll-off truck and trailer in March 2026 and a heavy haul truck in April 2026. The first in-house demolition was completed in early October 2026, when the City reported about 112 properties declared dangerous. On October 13, 2026 the council approved a $59,505 contract with Howell Sand to clear about 20 abandoned mobile homes at 715 N. Dallas, which staff said was too large a job for the in-house crew at the time.
A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines
- Public safety
- City buildings
- Landfill & solid waste
- Contracts & procurement
- Budget & taxes
- Construction & streets
- Leadership & governance
Where the story starts depends on the framing
- From the budget proposal for an in-house demolition program (August 2025): starts with Budget workshops propose a solid waste fee increase to fund a dangerous structure removal program (Aug 5, 2025 – Aug 7, 2025)
- From the creation of the City Marshal's Office, which runs the dangerous structure process (February 2023): starts with City creates a City Marshal's Office to run code enforcement and the dangerous structure process (Feb 22, 2023)
· Precursor
Council weighs a $777,000 low bid to demolish the condemned Inn of Amarillo
KFDA reported on March 22, 2017 that the lowest bid to demolish the Inn of Amarillo, a former Route 66 motel at 601 W. Amarillo Blvd. condemned in 2010, was $777,000, almost $600,000 of it for asbestos removal. The owner did not have the money to tear the building down, and the city manager suggested paying for it by issuing certificates of obligation or borrowing from the general fund. A council vote was expected the following week. An example of a City-paid demolition of a condemned property before the current program.[1][2]
- ✓ Verified
City staff told the council the lowest bid to demolish the Inn of Amarillo was $777,000, of which almost $600,000 was for asbestos abatement; the city manager suggested certificate of obligation debt or borrowing from the general fund to pay for it. [1]
- Low bid
- $777,000
- ✓ Verified
The property at 601 W. Amarillo Blvd. had been condemned in 2010, and demolition plans had been put on hold several times because of the cost. [2]
- Unverified
The sources fetched for this storyline report the bid and the scheduled vote but not the council's final action, the contractor or the final cost. [1]
· Context
City creates a City Marshal's Office to run code enforcement and the dangerous structure process
A reorganization approved by the City Manager's Office moved staff from the Fire Marshal's Office, Building Safety and other departments into a new City Marshal's Office. It took over citywide inspections, including substandard and dangerous structures, and oversight of the dangerous structure process that can end in demolition, as well as coordination of the Condemnation Appeals Commission. The City said it used existing positions and had no effect on the FY2022/23 budget.[3]
- ✓ Verified
The City Marshal's Office was to handle inspections of substandard and dangerous structures, oversee the dangerous structure process, which works with owners and "may lead to demolition" if other measures fail, and coordinate the Condemnation Appeals Commission. KFDA reported the office would grow from seven Fire Marshal field employees to 15 plus a City Marshal and an Assistant City Marshal, using existing positions. [3]
· Origin
Budget workshops propose a solid waste fee increase to fund a dangerous structure removal program
At the FY2025/26 budget workshops, Assistant City Manager and CFO Laura Storrs said the proposed budget included a 7% increase in residential and commercial solid waste collection fees to fund a dangerous structure removal program, including employees and equipment. Positions in the City Marshal department were also listed as part of the proposed program.[4]
- ✓ Verified
Laura Storrs, Assistant City Manager and CFO: At the August 2025 budget workshops, Assistant City Manager and CFO Laura Storrs said the proposed budget included a 7% increase in residential and commercial solid waste collection fees to fund a dangerous structure removal program; the Tribune reported the increase was meant to pay for the program's employees and equipment. This was the proposal; the rates adopted in September differ (see the adopted-budget claims). [4]
- Proposed increase
- 7%
· Starting point
FY2025/26 budget funds demolition equipment and two Solid Waste operators
The council unanimously adopted the FY2025/26 budget, which the City's release said included "a new Dangerous Structure Removal Team." The budget book lists $715,000 in the Solid Waste Disposal Improvement Fund for the initial equipment of a dangerous structure demolition program (excavator, haul truck and trailer, roll-off truck and two roll-off containers), two new Solid Waste Equipment Operator positions and one Dangerous Structure Specialist in the City Marshal's Office. It raised solid waste rates 26.1% for commercial and 3.8% for residential customers, citing the program among other costs, and budgeted $330,000 for demolition of condemned property in the City Marshal's general fund budget.[5][6]
- ✓ Verified
The City's release on the unanimous adoption of the FY2025/26 budget lists "a new Dangerous Structure Removal Team" among the budget highlights. [5]
- ✓ Verified
The FY2025/26 budget book lists $715,000 in the Solid Waste Disposal Improvement Fund for "Equipment for Dangerous Structure Demolition Program," described as the initial purchase of an excavator, haul truck and trailer, roll-off truck and two 20-cubic-yard roll-off containers (budget book p. 882). [6]
- Equipment budget
- $715,000
- ✓ Verified
The FY2025/26 staffing changes include 2.0 new Solid Waste Equipment Operator positions in Solid Waste and 1.0 Dangerous Structure Specialist in the City Marshal's Office (budget book p. 18). [6]
- ⚠ Sources differ
Accounts of the program's start-up funding describe it differently.
Reported value 1[6]
- Value
- $715,000 for equipment
The budget book's capital line for equipment alone; the two operator positions are listed separately with no dollar figure attached.
- ✓ Verified
The adopted budget raised solid waste rates 26.1% for commercial and 3.8% for residential customers "for equipment and personnel associated with a dangerous structure removal program," landfill capital projects and engineering, and residential dumpster replacement costs; the one-family residential fee rose from $24.18 to $25.10 a month. The budget does not say how much of the increase goes to the demolition program. [6][9]
- Commercial increase
- 26.1%
- Residential increase
- 3.8%
- Residential monthly before
- $24
- Residential monthly after
- $25
- ✓ Verified
In the City Marshal's general fund budget (business unit 1690), the "Demolition Condemned Property" account (67110) was budgeted at $130,000 for FY2024/25 and $330,000 for FY2025/26. The FY2026/27 budget book reports FY2024/25 actual spending of $155,989 in that account, a FY2025/26 revised estimate of $81,890.80 and a FY2026/27 budget of $330,000. The FY2023/24 actual is printed as a net credit of $35,208. [6][10]
- Fy2025 budget
- $130,000
- Fy2025 actual
- $155,989
- Fy2026 budget
- $330,000
- Fy2026 revised estimate
- $81,891
- Fy2027 budget
- $330,000
- ✓ Verified
Demolition of condemned property was also paid from federal grant funds in the Community Development budget's Code Enforcement unit (20115): $116,029 in FY2021/22, $206,670 in FY2022/23 and $174,479 in FY2023/24 (actuals), with $200,000 budgeted for FY2024/25 and nothing for FY2025/26. The FY2026/27 book reports FY2024/25 actual spending there of $14,955. The budget books do not say how many structures these amounts covered. [6][10]
- Fy2022 actual
- $116,029
- Fy2023 actual
- $206,670
- Fy2024 actual
- $174,479
- Fy2025 budget
- $200,000
- Fy2025 actual
- $14,955
- ✓ Verified
The FY2025/26 budget book reports for the City Marshal's Dangerous Structures Program in FY2023/24 (actual): 119 dangerous structures identified, 512 unoccupied unsafe buildings inspected, 60 cases presented to the Condemnation Appeals Commission and 70 properties permitted for demolition or rehabilitation. It describes the program as two office staff and one investigator and the commission as six commissioners. [6]
- Structures identified
- 119
- Buildings inspected
- 512
- Cac cases
- 60
- Permitted demolition or rehab
- 70
· Context
City Marshal's Office declares the former Hilltop Apartments a dangerous structure
The City declared the vacant former Hilltop Apartments in North Heights, across the street from an elementary school, a dangerous structure on October 15, 2025, after renewed complaints. City Marshal Jacob Diaz said the case would go to the Condemnation Appeals Commission, with a hearing set for February 5, 2026, and that the process can take three to six months.[11]
- ✓ Verified
Jacob Diaz, City Marshal: City Marshal Jacob Diaz said the property was declared a dangerous structure on October 15 because it was a nuisance and hazardous as an open structure, and that a Condemnation Appeals Commission hearing was set for February 5, 2026, where the commission would decide on demolition or a rehab request from the owner. The outcome of that hearing was not found. [11]
· Related development
Ordinance No. 8225 lets the council appoint Condemnation Appeals Commission members directly
On second reading the council adopted Ordinance No. 8225 (first reading November 18, 2025, 5-0), so that Condemnation Appeals Commission members are no longer drawn from the Construction Advisory and Appeals Commission. The ordinance says the commission meets once or twice a month, usually for several hours, and that it had become difficult to find volunteers. The same night the council took no action on appointments to the commission.[12][13][14]
- ✓ Verified
Ordinance No. 8225 states that the five-member Condemnation Appeals Commission had been appointed from the nine-member Construction Advisory and Appeals Commission, that it "meets frequently (once or twice per month), usually for several hours," and that "it has become difficult to find volunteers to serve on the CAC." The staff memo said the change would expand the pool of candidates. [13]
- ✓ Verified
The council approved the first reading 5-0 on November 18, 2025 (motion by Don Tipps, second by Les Simpson; presented by City Marshal Jacob Diaz) and adopted the ordinance 5-0 as part of the December 9, 2025 consent agenda. On December 9 the council took no action on appointments to the commission. [12][14]
· Related development
Council buys an excavator, roll-off truck and trailer for the demolition program
On its consent agenda, approved 5-0, the council bought a Cat 320 hydraulic excavator from Warren Cat ($250,539.28), a Freightliner roll-off truck from Premier Truck Group ($217,684.81) and a heavy haul trailer from Warren Cat ($115,364.21), each "for daily use in the Solid Waste Collection Dangerous Structure Demolition program" and funded from CIP project PRJ-0000124.[16][17]
Alan HarderWarren CATPremier Truck Group
- ✓ Verified
Consent items 4.9-4.11 bought a Cat 320 hydraulic excavator (Warren Cat, Sourcewell 011723, $250,539.28), a Freightliner roll-off truck (Premier Truck Group, Sourcewell 032824-DAI, $217,684.81) and a heavy haul trailer (Warren Cat, Sourcewell 011723, $115,364.21), all from general fund revenues under CIP PRJ-0000124. The consent agenda passed 5-0 on a motion by Les Simpson, seconded by Don Tipps. [16][17]
- Excavator
- $250,539
- Rolloff truck
- $217,685
- Trailer
- $115,364
· Related development
Council buys a heavy haul truck for the demolition program
The council approved on consent, 4-0, the purchase of a Western Star heavy haul truck from Premier Truck Group for $160,111.17 for the Solid Waste Collection Dangerous Structure Demolition program. The memo said the truck was approved in the FY2025/26 CIP review and charged it to "PRJ-0000124 Equipment for Dangerous Structure Program."[18][19]
Alan HarderPremier Truck Group
- ✓ Verified
Consent item 4.6 bought a Western Star heavy haul truck from Premier Truck Group (Sourcewell 032824-DAI) for $160,111.17, funded from general fund revenues under CIP PRJ-0000124. The consent agenda passed 4-0 with Councilmember Tim Reid absent. [18][19]
- Haul truck
- $160,111
- ✓ Verified
The four equipment purchases approved in March and April 2026 total $743,699.47, compared with the $715,000 listed for program equipment in the FY2025/26 capital budget. The CIP line also listed two roll-off containers, which did not appear as separate council items. [16][18][6]
- Purchases total
- $743,699
- Cip budget
- $715,000
· Context
FY2026/27 budget book reports dangerous-structure counts and demolition spending
The FY2026/27 budget book (version after council review, September 24, 2026) reports 198 dangerous structures identified in FY2024/25 and 165 estimated for FY2025/26, with 126 cases estimated to go to the Condemnation Appeals Commission in FY2025/26. The City Marshal program is listed with three office staff and one investigator, and $330,000 is again budgeted for demolition of condemned property; the FY2025/26 revised estimate for that account is $81,890.80.[10]
- ⚠ Sources differ
The two budget books give different FY2024/25 figures for the Dangerous Structures Program: the FY2025/26 book's estimate and the FY2026/27 book's actual.
Reported value 1[6]
- Structures identified
- 91
- Buildings inspected
- 1,434
- Cac cases
- 72
- Permitted demolition or rehab
- 57
FY2024/25 estimate printed in the FY2025/26 budget book (p. 200).
Reported value 2[10]
- Structures identified
- 198
- Buildings inspected
- 522
- Cac cases
- 71
- Permitted demolition or rehab
- 69
FY2024/25 actual printed in the FY2026/27 budget book (p. 124).
- ✓ Verified
For FY2025/26 (estimated) the FY2026/27 budget book reports 165 dangerous structures identified, 1,390 unoccupied unsafe buildings inspected, 126 cases presented to the Condemnation Appeals Commission and 64 properties permitted for demolition or rehabilitation, and projects 175, 1,500, 125 and 75 for FY2026/27. These are estimates and projections. [10]
- Fy2026 structures identified est
- 165
- Fy2026 cac cases est
- 126
- Fy2026 permitted est
- 64
- Fy2027 structures identified proj
- 175
- ✓ Verified
The FY2026/27 book describes the program as three office staff and one investigator, lists three Dangerous Structure Specialist positions, and says staff coordinate bidding with City departments and the City Council when necessary and oversee contractors. [10]
· Peak
City completes its first in-house demolition, on North Fairmont Street
Solid Waste crews demolished a fire-damaged house on North Fairmont Street in the San Jacinto area, the first demolition under the in-house program, in the week before October 9, 2026. City Marshal Jacob Diaz said about 112 properties were declared dangerous structures. The City said it was still calculating the cost of the first demolition and would compare it with past contractor costs. Property owners keep the land after demolition.[7][8]
- ✓ Verified
Jacob Diaz, City Marshal: City Marshal Jacob Diaz said about 112 properties were declared dangerous structures as of early October 2026. [7][8]
- Declared dangerous
- 112
- ✓ Verified
Under the process described by the City, the City Marshal's Office notifies owners and allows time to fix violations; unresolved cases go to the volunteer Condemnation Appeals Commission, which meets monthly, hears the City, owners and neighbors, and either gives more time or orders demolition; Solid Waste then demolishes the structure and hauls debris to the landfill. The land stays with the owner. [7][8]
- ✓ Verified
Alan Harder, Director of Public Works: Public Works Director Alan Harder said, "We spent this past year purchasing the equipment, getting it ordered, having it arrive." [8]
- ✓ Verified
As of October 9, 2026 the City said it was still calculating the cost of the first in-house demolition and would compare it with what it had paid contractors. City officials said the goals were safety and lower cost to taxpayers; no per-demolition cost comparison had been published, and the sources do not describe how demolition costs are billed or liened to owners. [8][7]
· Related development
Council awards $59,505 to Howell Sand to clear 715 N. Dallas
Consent item 6.13 awarded Howell Sand $59,505 from general fund revenues to demolish all structures and remove debris at 715 N. Dallas, where the Condemnation Appeals Commission had ordered demolition; the memo describes 20 abandoned and dangerous mobile homes. At the meeting a public commenter asked why the City was paying a contractor after budgeting for equipment. City Marshal Jacob Diaz said the in-house program handles demolitions with Solid Waste, but this site, with 20 or more mobile homes and dumped debris, was too large for that crew at the time, so it was bid out for speed. The consent agenda, less item 6.7, passed on a voice vote.[20][21][22]
Jacob DiazHowell Sand Company, Inc.
- ✓ Verified
Consent item 6.13 awarded Howell Sand $59,505 from general fund revenues to demolish all structures and remove all debris and solid waste at 715 N. Dallas. The transmittal memo says the Condemnation Appeals Commission had ordered the demolition, proposals were accepted through an open bid, the funding is the City Marshal's "Demolition Condemnations" account, and the work would remove "20 abandoned and dangerous mobile homes" (packet p. 70). The memo does not give the commission's order date or the other bids. [20][21]
- Amount
- $59,505
- Mobile homes
- 20
- ✓ Verified
Jacob Diaz, City Marshal: City Marshal Jacob Diaz told the council his office handles the administrative side of the new internal demolition program and Solid Waste does the demolition. He said 715 N. Dallas holds 20 or more vacant, abandoned mobile homes, some fire-damaged, that deputies and police patrol, that a fire there had damaged an adjacent business, and that the number of structures and dumped debris kept Solid Waste from taking it on at this time, so it was awarded to a contractor for speed. [22]
- ✓ Verified
A council member noted the item came to council only because of its size, and asked whether a $49,000 job would not have needed council action; Diaz answered, "Correct." Another council member called the use of both contractors and the in-house crew a "two-pronged approach." [22]
- ✓ Verified
A public commenter: During public comment a speaker said the City was paying about $59,000 to Howell Sand to demolish a condemned property after the council had put about $700,000 in the budget for equipment, and asked why a third party was being paid. [22]
- ✓ Verified
The council approved the consent agenda except item 6.7, including item 6.13, on a voice vote with no opposition heard; the recording gives no tally. Minutes were not yet posted as of October 14, 2026. [22]
- ✓ Verified
The City's check register (July 2022-May 2026) shows 60 payments totaling $484,137 to Howell Sand Company, Inc. The register does not tie payments to projects, so it does not show how much, if any, was for demolitions. [23]
- Register total
- $484,137
- Payments
- 60
Related storylines: City of Amarillo landfill: permit, cell construction, gas system, fees and the May 2026 fire (2007-2026)