Big Spring council orders abatements for two unsafe properties

The Big Spring City Council voted unanimously to order abatement of two properties the council said were public nuisances: 1103 West Fifth Street and 2106 Nolan Street.

City code enforcement staff told the council both properties are unoccupied, unsecured and in a state of serious disrepair that creates safety and public-health risks, including conditions conducive to rats and other disease-carrying animals. For 1103 West Fifth Street, staff said three structures on the parcel are “substandard and unsafe,” including a main structure rendered unsafe by fire. For 2106 Nolan Street, staff said the dwelling suffers severe exterior deterioration and missing cladding that make the structure unsafe.

The council opened public hearings on the two properties and received no public comment before moving to abate. Councilmember motion and second led to unanimous votes to enter orders of abatement for both addresses; the mayor announced the motions passed by voice vote.

City staff confirmed the properties are unoccupied. Regarding Nolan Street, staff said they executed a warrant and “no one’s there.” The agenda description filed with council states the cases were opened in June 2024 (1103 West Fifth) and March 2024 (2106 Nolan).

Discussion: council members asked procedural questions during the hearing but did not amend the staff recommendations. No appeals, timelines for demolition or abatement contractors, or estimated costs were provided during the hearing.

The abatement orders direct staff to proceed with the legal and physical steps necessary to remove the public nuisance; the council did not set implementation dates or budgetary allocations during the meeting.