Khan Properties Group owns the Gilbert Building.

SEASIDE — The Gilbert Building has narrowly avoided being shut down by the city after receiving several warnings about electrical violations that could have led to a fire.

Originally built in 1914, the building sits in the heart of downtown and is home to several popular storefronts. The owners of the building, Khan Properties Group, bought the property in 2021.

Seaside Fire & Rescue initially opened an investigation into the conditions in January and found multiple fire code violations. Sean Raffington, the manager of the building at the time and owner of Romds Property Services, was advised of open outlets and faulty, overloaded electrical wiring.

Raffington could not be reached for comment.

Division Chief Genesee Dennis returned to reinspect the building in September and reported that nothing had been done about the violations.

A second correction notice was issued to secure a licensed electrician. Due to the severity of the conditions, Dennis returned the next week with the county electrical inspector and the city’s building and planning director. It was discovered that the wiring had become damaged from mold and mildew and water had entered and accumulated in electrical conduits, cables, boxes and enclosures.

Khan Properties Group has since secured JJ Electric Service to start work in November and correct the violations. Taslema Sultana, of Khan Properties, said there has been changes and realignments in management.

“The building owners have taken over management and (are) working hard to correct all current issues at this moment,” Munisa Komilova, the Khan Properties Group’s marketing director, said in an email.

“As long as a property is making forward progress on corrections, we will work with them for as long as it will take,” Dennis said.

Spay and Neuter Thrift Shop was slated to shut down in September after being ordered out of the Gilbert Building because the owners and management planned to remodel the space the nonprofit occupied. Spay and Neuter’s Kari Douma said that thanks to the new management, the organization has secured their spot on the block, and that they have no plans to leave.

“She’s allowed our rent to stay the same. She’s been taking care of plumbing issues that have been going on,” Douma said. “It’s a breath of fresh air.”