🏠 Investigation 001

The Demolition of a 99-year-old Woman's Home

Status: Active Investigation

Last Updated: July 2026

Executive Summary

This investigation documents the events leading to the demolition of a 1930 home owned by a 99-year-old Tampa resident.

The investigation is based on public records, emails, text messages, photographs, property records, and firsthand observations gathered during efforts to preserve the home.

According to the information assembled to date, the homeowner intended to return to her home after recovering from illness. During that period, family members and others explored repair, financing, and sale options while communicating with City officials.

As a licensed general contractor, I inspected the property and believed repair options should have been evaluated before demolition.

This report presents the documented chronology and supporting evidence so residents, reporters, and public officials can review the information and reach their own conclusions.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

  🏡 Background                                                                                                                      

This investigation concerns the demolition of a 1930 home owned by a 99-year-old Tampa resident.

During the period leading up to the demolition, the homeowner spent several months in a rehabilitation facility. After her release, she was hospitalized with pneumonia before moving in with her granddaughter while continuing to recover. Throughout that time, the homeowner intended to return home.  Family members were exploring whether to rehabilitate the home or sell it, and decision-making authority changed as power of attorney was transferred to another family member.

A handyman had begun cleaning the property, removing damaged flooring, and assessing repairs when a City notice posted on the home brought the matter to Julie Magill's attention. As a licensed general contractor, Julie Magill inspected the property, met with City officials, and participated in discussions regarding possible repair options and alternatives to demolition.

This report presents the documented chronology of events, supporting records, and communications so that residents, reporters, and public officials can review the available evidence and understand the sequence of events leading to the demolition.

📅 Documented Timeline

The following timeline is based on emails, public records, photographs, text messages, video recordings, and firsthand observations gathered during this investigation. 

November 5, 2025

City Notice Posted on Property "Order to Vacate"

The City posted this notice on the property while the homeowner was in a rehab facility after a fall. 

Supporting Documents: Notice on door. Pic available. 

November 19, 2025

Handyman Discovers Notice on Door

While cleaning the home, removing damaged flooring, paneling, and assessing repairs needed, he discovered a notice and sent the pic to Julie Magill. 

Supporting Documents -  text messages and pics available

December 9 2025

City email from Julie Magill to Deborah Radke to explain that the scope was a hole in the bathroom ceiling and the rest general maintenance and cleaning. 

Supporting Documents -Email correspondence

December 16 2025

Return email from Deborah Radke stating more repairs needed other than the hole in the ceiling. I returned an email asking city for details. 

Supporting Documents _ Email correspondence

December 22, 2025

Homeowner released from rehab but put in hospital for pneumonia. 

Supporting Documents - Family Timeline

December 27, 2025 

Owner released from Hospital to finish recovering at relatives home. Also waiting for home to be ready for her to come back to.

Supporting Documents - Family Timeline

January 15 2026

I met city officials at the house to discuss their issues with the house. Repair options were discussed.  I emailed Deborah Radke that I would be pulling a BLD Permit but needed the demo order rescinded. Asked her what was needed from me. I was sent a modification form the owner had to sign, along with a scope of work and timeline. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence  and video of inspection

Inspection video: https://1drv.ms/v/c/aff1ebfc14e3326f/IQClEayX_8-MQpIvhRQAnHj7AaO1OFOMi4Zd0XIuUYpZiOE?e=gKVH50

January 22 2026

I emailed Deborah Radke to explain the family was trying to secure funds for the permit items and also a family member was wanting to step in and take over the repairs. I asked what I should advise them as far a time frame to avoid the demo order from remaining. I got a reply email that a family member had reached out for a rehab form as well. There was a turn in date of March 4, 2026. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

March 31 2026

After several weeks of trying to come up with funds, the family decided to try and sell the property. I sent a purchase agreement to the city and was told the current fees accrued were $460.50. The contract closing date was 4/30/26. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

May 6 2026

Email from Deborah Radke asking for extension.  

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

May 7 2026

Buyer backed out due to a reverse mortgage making the price too high for him to make a profit as a rehab. I got another Buyer in the meantime and sent Deborah an extension until May 26th. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

May 20 2026

The 2nd buyer had to back out due to a contractor estimate that was too high for him. I asked Deborah for another month or two to try and secure another buyer. This request was denied  and she stated the demolition order was back in place. I replied and asked them to meet me again at the property  to explain to me why it was a tear down. I told her that I was not convinced at the first meeting that anyone actually crawled under the home as we inspected and the pilings were intact. I sold her the home was secured and solid except for a couple of subfloor issues in the wet spaces at tub and kitchen. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

May 21 2026

I sent a long email to Deborah that explained that the owner was in recuperative care and did not receive the notices from the family nor the ones posted on the door. I also explained that the family had begun to clean out the home, remove old flooring to fix the subfloor, got some of her contents out in order to remodel it for her to return to. I stated the home had been secured  and then cited the code that gave reasons to activate a demo order. I told her the home did not meet most of the reasons to make that determination.  I told her that the yard would be cleaned and mowed as soon as the demo order was removed as it was also  an order to vacate the premises. The family was afraid of breaking the law. I asked her to acknowledge this email as a formal appeal to remove the demo status as the home did not meet the qualifications listed in the code. I also asked for her intentions  and an answer that day. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

May 26 2026

I sent an email to Deborah asking if she was going to respond to the last email about removing the order. I told her it was unfair to keep this elderly lady in limbo. I got a return email from her telling me she was waiting on a response from the District Supervisor, Michael Peterson. She would provide me with an update. I emailed back to ask how long that reply might take and if the demo order was on hold until he responded. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

May 29 2026

I emailed Deborah to tell her that the client is suffering from emotional distress and to provide an answer today. 

Supporing Documents - Email correspondence

June 3 2026

I emailed Deborah to ask about the last email. I also told her there were personal items remaining in the home. I asked to meet again as the family is willing to do the repair but not allowed back in the home. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

June 6 2026

I was notified by the original worker that the home was gone. The machinery was still sitting in the lot and it was completely cleared. I emailed Deborah and asked her about it. The great granddaughter says she was told by Deborah that there was nothing they could do and that Deborah told her she did not like speaking to "realtors", meaning me. 

Supporting Documents - Email correspondence

June 7 2026

I emailed Deborah asking for the demolition checklist that was used. No reply. 

Supporting Document - Email correspondence

 

This investigation remains active and will be updated as additional verified information becomes available.