Oct. 31, 2004 - The woman who began an illegal tear-down of a Wells St. house and then let the trashed-up lot sit for weeks without clearing it wants to build a house or duplex there, according to Ald. Michael Murphy.

Word did not return a phone call from storyhill.net.

Word bought the property and the house at 4625 W. Wells in June, records show. She began tearing it down without the proper permits, leading to a complaint that the workers she hired were "operating heavy machinery when drunk," according to Department of Neighborhood Services records. DNS ordered a halt to the work.

It stopped. Totally.

Lee Word left this mess on her Wells St. property for the city to clean up

A July note in DNS records notes "Inspection of property revealed suspect asbestos containing materials on the ground co-mingled with the demolition debris and in the dumpster. Put hold on dumpster, took samples, pictures."

That was followed by another note a few days later: "spoke with owner and contractor. Orders issued."

Nothing happened. In September, the city hired contractors to finish demolition and clean up the lot.

Word will be billed for the work.

The same lot, after the city hired contractors to clean it up. Word told Ald. Michael Murphy's office that she would like to build a home or a duplex here.