JACKSONVILLE — Complaints of gas smells and toxic mold in the historic Orth Building have prompted the City Council to inform the owners they must fix things or it will — and place a lien on the property for the costs.

The owners said Wednesday they had been trying to eliminate the gas smell but were unaware of the mold and will take steps to eradicate it.

Former tenant Lorelei Thayer, owner of Gussied Up, on Tuesday presented the council with a litany of health complaints and a letter from a certified indoor environmentalist confirming the building contained mold.

The building at 150 S. Oregon St. tests positive for growth of toxic mold in all sampled locations, Marla Craddick of Indoor Diagnostics LLC stated in her Feb. 21 letter.

"There is extensive moisture intrusion and mold contamination in many locations of the first floor of the building," wrote Craddick.

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Craddick tested Thayer’s former space on the main floor, vacant spaces in the basement and shared common spaces on both floors. She did not test GeBzz Gallery or the Thai House on the main floor or La Fiesta restaurant on the third floor.

Owners Dale Bush and Joe Kantor were not at the council meeting. Bush said on Wednesday that Thayer’s complaints during her three-year tenancy regarding the building and its occupants had caused her to be viewed as someone "constantly crying wolf." But neither he nor Kantor had any idea their building had a mold issue, he said.

"This is the first we’ve heard about mold," Bush said. "If there is a problem with mold, we’ll fix it. We don’t want it to have mold."

Thayer closed up her business earlier this month. The building has left her with myriad health issues, no livelihood and concerns about her customers, she said. Thayer has undergone medical tests to try and determine the cause of her fatigue, slurred speech and blurry vision, she said.

"I had to close my business because of this," said Thayer. "I have no reason to make this up."

Thayer told the council she had 52 people willing to testify they had experienced everything from headaches to nausea to mental confusion after spending time in her shop.

Resident Clara Wendt told the council it had a responsibility to act on "these tales of woe." According to city code, owners of historic buildings must protect their structures, she said.

Councilman Dick Ames agreed.

"I think we need to do something," Ames said. "Mold causes failure of structures. It’s a public safety issue."

The council directed city staff to send Bush and Kantor a letter referencing the contamination and potential damage to the structural integrity of the building, City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen said on Wednesday. The preservation ordinance allows the city to step in and rectify a problem and place a lien on the property to pay for it, he said.

"The code deals with affirmative maintenance on historic buildings," Wyntergreen said. "Obviously (placing a lien) would be the last resort."

Gary Stevens, Jackson County’s director of environmental health, has twice responded to health complaints from Thayer, he said. Stevens said he did not visually observe mold growth in the stairs, walls, ceilings, airways or floors when he visited the building. But he did not test for mold or gases, he said.

"The county has limited resources and no ability to address mold issues," said Stevens.

Anton Abben, a certified environmentalist with Indoor Diagnostics, said there is reason to be concerned about the building’s potential health risks and structural integrity.

Because the foundation is below grade, water flows downhill through the bottom of the building from late fall to early spring and causes regular flooding in the lower floor — creating an ideal incubation site for molds, he said.

"The very first step deals with correcting the water issue," Abben said.

Correcting the building’s ongoing moisture issues structurally could be a "fairly substantial financial outlay," Abben said.

The basement of the building is vacant as are two spaces on the main floor. Most vacancies are due to a basement flood a year and a half ago, Bush said.

Bush insisted he has maintained the building. He has reconstructed the ventilation system and rebuilt the structural framework in addition to other updates and modifications, he said.

"It’s the only building in Jacksonville with a sprinkler system," he said. "And it’s mechanically a fairly new building."

In addition to her medical bills, Thayer spent nearly $1,200 for Indoor Diagnostics’ report, a charge that should be reimbursed by the building owners, she said.

Craddick was unable to determine the source of a recurring smell of propane or natural gas, nor could she find any elevated carbon monoxide readings. Avista gas, employees of Jacksonville’s fire department and a health inspector have also checked the building for "gas smells," Stevens said.

Tests for carbon monoxide or natural gas showed "no significant health risk," Stevens said. No tests have been conducted for radon, hydrogen sulfide or methane gasses, potential health hazards, as none of the agencies have the specialized testing equipment needed, Stevens said.

Bush spent $5,000 to put new seals and vents in the building’s sewage system to try and stop the gas smell, he said.

"We’ve had everyone and their dog out there looking for the source," said Bush.

Craddick said the gas smell may have taken people’s focus away from inspecting for mold. Heavy growths of Stachybotrys chartarum were found in all sampled locations — including under Thayer’s rental space. A lighter growth of penicillium and aspergillus was also found, she said.

Stachybotrys in particular indicates a major water intrusion when found growing inside buildings, she said. The toxic mold can adversely affect humans, she said.

"The most common symptoms are respiratory distress," said Craddick. "People feel worse when they’re in the building, then they generally feel better when they aren’t."

Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail sspecht@mailtribune.com.