Gulfport council hears code-enforcement appeals and public complaints on blight; time extensions granted

The Gulfport City Council on Wednesday heard multiple code-enforcement matters from property owners and members of the public who called for stronger action on long-standing blight in several neighborhoods.

During the code enforcement hearing the council granted extensions and advised owners on next steps: Deborah Robertson, co-owner of 295040 Ninth Avenue, said squatters and probate complications have delayed her ability to clear the property; she was given up to 60 days to pursue probate and cleanup and told to stay in close touch with code enforcement staff. Nancy Hines, owner of the property identified as 4020 Michigan Avenue, said contractor licensing and funding delays have slowed demolition and cleanup; the council granted her 30 days and offered to help connect her to contractors. Constance Dolby, who said she is cleaning debris at 14408 (Third/East Railroad), was told to coordinate with the city engineer and code staff and to return with estimates and progress in about 30 days because ownership and right-of-way questions remain.

Code enforcement staff identified parcels by parcel number and the orders involved "remove/haul off trash and debris," "secure/board up," and in some cases demolition of unsafe structures. Travis Johnson of code enforcement described on-site inspections: when inspectors returned after initial board-up visits some structures had additional collapse and the city issued demolition orders where public safety or severe structural failure was evident.

Public commenters used the citizens— forum to press the council for a broader response to neighborhood blight. Resident David Easterling said properties in East Gulfport remain as slabs and vacant lots years after storm recovery and urged more consistent enforcement and follow-up. Arie Downing and other residents raised overgrown ditches, standing water and trash in North Gulfport and asked for more routine maintenance. Property owner Kevin Locke appealed personally for help after years of enforcement actions and said he had been unable to fully restore a historic building at 3019 15th Street, claiming prior enforcement actions and alleged tampering complicated restoration; the council—s attorney was available for follow-up on legal questions.

The council emphasized the distinction between public comment and formal hearings: owners appearing before the code enforcement hearing were asked to provide updates and documented plans; if owners presented credible timelines and progress, the council tended to allow short extensions so owners could either complete work or show reasonable plans to proceed.

No one in the hearing asked for immediate demolition by the city at the session—s close; council members and staff instructed owners to coordinate promptly with Travis Johnson—s office and to return with surveys, contractor estimates or probate documents as appropriate. Council members said they would consider staff reports and return items to a later docket when the required documentation had been supplied.