Thank you for posting this. It is good to see what others on doing on similar situations. As has been alluded to here a few times, it comes down to who has the money. You are entangled with a bureaucracy of job for life folks that are insulated from us by our elected officials.
I have been struggling with a similar situation with my small military shop for over 10 years and 3 building official, code enforcement officers. I have met with the city, had a lawyer involved, have had 4 structural engineers look at the building, two of which have sent letters to the city, stating that it wasn't going to fall down tomorrow, and they are still obstructing my operation. Thank goodness for the economic downturn as they had to lay off one of their building officials. this has made them have to focus their time on real issues, instead of shopping for things to do.
The attorney assures me if we go to court we will win, but advises that it will cost thousands and then when we are done they will be back again. He hoped I could work it out with them as the best cost method.
My thought, as this property is on the Main street of town, on the right side of a one way, just before a stop light, with a left turn to the interstate, that someone wants this property, and as long as I have business that is functional, it will be more costly to take over the property.
Zout had some good points about attending the Council meetings. I don't go to all of them, but watch them on TV and bring up points with Council members when I see them. I even ran for city council about 4 years ago and lost to the sitting mayor by 68 votes. I think that has backed them off a bit.
Hang in there and keep swinging for those that don't have the ability to fight back! Thank you.