The city of Federal Way is moving forward with an order to demolish a commercial building that a fire severely damaged in October.

The building, located in the 29200 block of Pacific Highway S., housed businesses Sin on Skin Tattoo and Body Piercing, Awards by Wilson and unoccupied business All Martial Arts Supplies.

The scorched structure — also the site of a large illegal marijuana grow operation — has sat vacant since it burned down on Oct. 14. Police confiscated 500 marijuana plants from the building’s basement during the investigation.

Michael Morales, the city’s new director of the Community Development Department, said he’s been driving around town since he began his position last month to check out the “good, bad and the ugly” throughout the city.

“We had not taken any action on this building,” Morales said. “Using the dangerous building provisions of city code, we tagged it. What that means is there’s a 20-day period for the property owner to appeal because we’re ordering the demolition of the building.”

Morales said the city has not received a response from the property owner yet.

A hearing is set for Thursday, when the property owner may appeal the city’s decision.

He added sometimes burned buildings and the like will sit for a while, so the city may give insurance companies time to investigate. Morales is confident these investigations are complete.

The city has the authority to carry out the abatement process, then may pursue the demolition costs from the property owner.

“It’s all part of taking a more proactive approach to code enforcement,” Morales said, noting the city hopes to have the building demolished and the lot cleared by May.