City Hopes to Demolish Halfway-Built Redondo Mansion

City officials in Redondo Beach are hopeful that an unfinished mega mansion that has sat abandoned in an upscale neighborhood for several years will be demolished following legal action against the homeowner, a city prosecutor said today.

The property's owner Rami Nassif was convicted of 13 misdemeanor charges stemming from public nuisance and safety hazards. He faces six months to two years in county jail when he is sentenced April 23, according to Redondo Beach City Prosecutor Melanie Chavira.

Nassif bought the property at 733 N. Paulina Ave. in 2003 with an existing home on it, which was demolished in 2005. Construction on the current plywood structure began in 2007, but was never finished.

"Unfortunately, Rami Nassif kept giving empty promises to the code enforcement office," Chavira said. "They kept giving him new permits, which sort of delayed the whole process."

An empty pool in the backyard has been a magnet for skateboarders. Other trespassers have left behind graffiti or used condoms, she said.

"You can't have plywood in this type of condition for that many years," Chavira said. "It's deteriorated. It's been deemed a fire hazard."

Neighbors have also spotted coyotes and raccoons on the property, while flapping tarps have kept them up at night.

"Community members are tired of living in fear of what's going to happen to this property," Chavira said.

At the sentencing next week, the city will ask the judge to order the demolition of the building at the expense of the homeowner.

If the request is granted, it will take 30 days to get the paperwork in order for the demolition. However, that could be delayed further if the homeowner appeals.

"The city is not going to wait for him to come up with the money," Chavira said. "It is most important for the city to make sure that this isn't a danger to the community and if they have to foot the bill initially, they will do that."

--City News Service