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A Georgian mansion in Richmond’s West End, a grand house that twice served as the Symphony Designer House, has been condemned by the city.

The house was the home of Justin G. and Tanya French, who are still listed as the property owners even though he has been in prison for tax credit fraud since May 2011 and she has not occupied the house — according to her bankruptcy petition — since June 2010.

John Walsh, operations manager for Richmond’s code enforcement division, said the city condemned the property because it was open and vacant. The condemnation allows the city to send a contractor to the house to board it up and maintain the boarding.

It also allows the police department to check on the property so it doesn’t become a derelict attraction or become a nuisance in the community.

“It doesn’t provide us with any rights or authorities other than that,” Walsh said. “Our hope is that as soon as the owner situation resolves itself, it will become an occupied property.”

That is precisely what neighbors in this low-key, elegant community between Grove and Patterson avenues say they want. But they are frustrated since the house has sat empty and broken for years — and the ownership problem seems to linger unresolved.