Ruling Expected This Spring on Half-Built House

A hearing date has been set on the fate of a half-built house at 17361 Drake Rd., which has stood partially constructed for months after the builder fell into financial distress.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Kathleen Ann Sutula will hear final arguments in the case April 27, court dockets show.

"We hope to get an order to take it down," Law Director Ken Kraus said.

The city went to court in July to try to force owner Brian Mathoslah of Shaker Heights to either finish the house or tear it down. The shell of the windowless house is standing, but no one has worked on the house or maintained the property.

Ward 2 Councilman Ray Haseley said he got a number of calls last spring and summer from residents, some curious about what was going on at the construction site and others complaining about an eyesore.

"I was getting calls regularly," Haseley said.

He said the city has been cutting the grass on the property and billing the cost to the owner.

Kraus said Strongsville filed suit, seeking an order that would allow the city to tear down the house and charge Mathoslah for the expense. Complicating the case, he said, is the fact that there are a number of liens on the property.

Kraus added that there are also concerns the house is an unsafe structure.