Eyesore of the Week

613 Avon St., Lansing

This charred, red-tagged home, just east of Cedar Street and north of Mount Hope Avenue, has been in a state of hazardous disrepair since a fire gutted it on Sept. 27, 2024.

The 1908 home, previously owned by Stanley Bloomfield, was reported by WILX TV to be abandoned at the time of the fire. It went into foreclosure on April 1 and is one of 26 homes available for auction by the Ingham County Treasurer’s Office on Oct. 21 at the Lansing Center.

The home was previously available during the treasurer’s Sept. 18 auction and a buyer successfully bid on it — only to recant his offer when he realized the fire damage. Now, potential buyers can tour the property during an open house 4-6 p.m. Oct. 15.

“The first barrier will be the starting bid,” said Fox. “Since it’s the second auction for this house and we’re not trying to collect taxes on it, the starting bid will be lower: $6,000.”

The city of Lansing has placed the home in a make-safe-or-demolish status but hasn’t issued a demolition order. This means that a buyer wishing to purchase it must submit an immediate plan for the property or be subject to an MSD hearing, which could result in the demolition of the property.

“The real question is how much structural damage there is and whether it might be a total loss,” Fox said. “We’ll find out during the open house.”

The 942-square-foot, story-and-a-half home is 117 years old. Prospective buyers can learn more about this and other properties available at the Oct. 21 auction by visiting bippususa.com.

“Eyesore of the Week” is our biweekly 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.