TAMPA - The owners of the historical Kress building have been slapped with $500 a day in code enforcement fines for failing to fix the decaying facade of the downtown landmark.

As of Thursday, the meter started ticking on the fine, which could add up to about $14,000 a month.

In January, Tampa's four-member code enforcement board found owner Doran Jason Group guilty of a litany of violations and gave it six months to fix the problems.

An inspection of the building Thursday morning found that little progress had been made.

"They've done some work on the building, but none of the violations have been fixed," said Kevin L. Amos, area supervisor for the code enforcement department.

Attorney John B. Grandoff III, who represents the Doran Jason Group, disputes the allegation made by the city that none of the code violations has been resolved.

"The issues involving threats to public health and safety have been resolved," he said.

Grandoff said he will seek a six-month extension to make the repairs.

"This building dates back to the 1920s, and it takes time to find the materials needed to make repairs," he said. "You can't just go to a neighborhood yard sale and buy them."

Among the code enforcement violations racked up in the past year are issues with the building's exterior, including windows, many of which have been broken by vandals.

Amos said the roof is intact and the building is structurally sound.

The building on Franklin Street used to house the S.H. Kress department store.

The loss of the 95-year-old landmark Gary Adult School last year highlighted the plight of Kress and other historical downtown buildings, many of which have been neglected.

Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena called the state of the Kress building "deplorable" and said the owners have a responsibility to make sure it doesn't fall to the wrecking ball.

"They are the stewards of this historic building and need to protect it," she said.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679