Dover moves to demolish four downtown properties

Dover City Council voted unanimously to demolish four downtown homes, saying the properties violate the city's Dangerous Building Ordinance.

City leaders argue the move is necessary for public safety, to remove uninhabitable structures, and to improve downtown — but some property owners say the city’s approach is where their concerns lie.

At last week's council meeting, staff recommended declaring the properties and their accessory structures dangerous. The ordinance, outlined in Chapter 22 of the City of Dover code, sets the criteria for unsafe buildings and aligns with the International Property Maintenance Code.

Under the ordinance, four downtown properties were found to be in violation: 29 South New Street, 111 South Queen Street, and 303 and 415 West Division Street. Owners have un