Eyesore of the Week

2613 Maplewood Ave.,
Lansing

This red-tagged home on the south side near Cedar Street and Greenlawn Avenue has been partially covered by a giant blue tarp since it was damaged by a large tree branch in a summer storm last year. It has remained in that state ever since. “The city first noted the damage in August 2024,” said Ingham County Treasurer Alan Fox. “The owners were invoiced by the city for a board up on Jan. 14.”

Fox added that the owners, Janell Wright and her daughter, Miya Simmons, claimed last year to be living there, but that it’s unlikely they are still doing so. The total amount due for delinquent taxes is about $7,650 (including an estimate of the 2024 amount due). The owners must pay $3,097.64 of that on or before March 31 or the property will be foreclosed.

The Ingham County Treasurer’s Office has had no contact with the owners for about six months, and Fox said he has not been asked for more time or for payment arrangements. “Given the condition of the property, we would be very unlikely to agree to an extension,” he said.

The two-story, 720-square-foot, one-bedroom, one-bath house was built in 1924 and has an estimated value of $62,800 on Zillow.com. It was last sold in March 2021 for $28,000. No contact information was available for the owners.

“Eyesore of the Week” is our weekly look at some of the seedier properties in Lansing. It rotates with Public Art, by Bill Castanier. Have a suggestion? Email eye@lansingcitypulse.com  or call in a nomination at 517-999-5061.