Eyesore of the Week

1220 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Lansing

This long-abandoned market on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue at Farrand Street is one of 10 properties owned by landlord Christian Nwobu that appear on the red-tag list obtained from the City of Lansing last month.

Nwobu appeared in the Michigan 54A District Court July 28, when Judge Tony Flores issued him $500 fines for each of  eight properties he owns that were out of compliance with city code. Flores gave him 30 days to bring them up to code, but as of his next court date this week, seven of them were still not in compliance, WLNS News reported. Nwobu asked Flores for 60 more days, but he refused. Instead, he will be fined again after the next 30-day period. Flores said a case like this can result in the city fixing up the properties and charging the owner.

Meanwhile, Nwobu and his wife, Gloria, owe over $200,000 delinquent property taxes that he needs to pay to receive a rental license, said Ingham County Deputy Treasurer Rachel Piner. She added that $21,902.06 is owed just for the Cesar E. Chavez property, including $1,805 in trash removal and code violations.

Nwobu purchased the 3,420-square-foot market, built in 1926, in 2021 from Ghulam and Sufia Sumbal. Once a Sav-Mor grocery store, a previous owner remodeled it in 1962. Later it was part of the Big Star Supermarket chain.

 

“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.