The city of Geneva cited Shodeen Development in May over its white plastic shrink-wrap cover placed over an 1840s remnant limestone blacksmith shop.
The city warned Shodeen that encasing the structure at 4 E. State St. did not comply with property code standards, nor the previous hearing officer’s decision in 2024, upheld by the court in 2025.
All were back together at an adjudication hearing Thursday night before hearing officer Victor Puscas.
City Attorney Ronald Sandack said covering the structure in shrink-wrap did not follow Puscas’ previous ruling, nor the court’s ruling to uphold it.
“The shrink-wrap might actually cause more damage because without any type of ventilation, we’re worried that mold and mildew and other particulates could be trapped,” Sandack said.
“We asked them to take it down and do what your order originally required, to no avail,” he said. “What we’ve been talking about, we’ve been talking about for the better part of two years: Submit a plan for redevelopment [to] address the whole parcel. I think they are close to that, but they have not done it.”
Puscas told both sides that he didn’t have anything to work with and reset the hearing for Oct. 15.
“I don’t have any documents, charging documents or otherwise,” Puscas said. “So I guess I’d have to look at what you’re alleging that they’re doing … and compare it to whatever happened in the statutes or sections of the code. From what you’ve told me, I can’t really put it together in my head whether or not there’s a violation.”
Puscas asked the city to provide a packet of documents to him and to Shodeen attorney Daniel Konicek by Sept. 17.
Puscas’ ruling in 2024 upheld the city’s fines against Shodeen of $750 per day, from Oct. 17 of that year, based on the argument that the structure was not in compliance. The court also upheld the fine.
As of Aug. 20, 672 days later, the fine is $504,750.