Why is it taking so long for Houston to fix abandoned and dangerous buildings? Frustrated residents are looking for change

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — In an abandoned building on North Main Street, rows of metal racks announcing a sale are gathering dust.

“It’s always been abandoned since I was younger,” said Gael Gutiérrez, who lives near the building. “I’ve never seen it in operation or anything like that, so it’s been like that for a while.”

The building is not simply abandoned. Investigations have shown that it is one of more than 170 buildings in the city that are considered dangerous according to the City of Houston.

13 Investigators visited several buildings that city inspectors deemed dangerous and found dilapidated apartment complexes, a burned down restaurant and even an old school that the Houston Independent School District still owns.

Why are so many of these buildings that are considered dangerous left in poor condition for years? 13 Investigates tonight at 10 on ABC13.

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