City authorities gave Liberty owner Greenfire Development a two-month delay in December, while they considered the company's proposal for short-term repairs and longer-term renovations.

City inspections head Rick Hester said Greenfire has told him some work has begun since the December stay, but he did not know details.

The extension ends Feb. 15 and by then the city intends to have decided whether to declare the historic tobacco-auction house in a state of demolition by neglect and impose financial penalties on Greenfire.

Thursday's hearing, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Committee Room, is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in the property to comment on the building's condition and maintenance history.

Setting the hearing is a procedure "to start the clock running ... so the city can go ahead and make its determination the moment the extension runs out," said Preservation Durham director Bob Ashley.

The city began "demolition by neglect" proceedings against Greenfire after part of Liberty's roof collapsed during a heavy rain in May and the building was condemned.

Proceedings were suspended when the company pledged to make repairs within six months.

Just before the suspension term ended in December, Greenfire asked and was given a two-month extension while the city considered its proposal to leave a hole but seal it off, install some waterproofing measures and stabilize part of the building.

Greenfire wanted to put off roof replacement until it determines what it wants to do with the building long-term.

The company has hinted at a major renovation since buying the warehouse in 2006, but has never disclosed plans.

At 611/613 Rigsbee Ave., Liberty is the last remaining of more than a dozen tobacco-auction warehouses that once operated in Durham's "Tobacco Row" market district.

Sales there ceased after the 1986 season, but former owner Walker Stone converted it to multiple uses including quarters for several artistic nonprofits.

The 200,000-square foot warehouse is listed both on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Local Historic Landmark.

"Historic" designation brought tax benefits for Greenfire, which bought Liberty in 2006 through its subsidiary Durham Liberty LLC.

Durham requires owners of historic landmarks to keep their properties in good repair.

Faulty roofs, ineffective waterproofing, defective weather protection, or "deterioration that has a detrimental effect on the surrounding historic district, or on the special character of the historic landmark" are among violations listed in the ordinance.

The owner of a property found to be in a state of demolition by neglect may be required to make repairs and subject to civil penalties.