Council orders demolition of two condemned houses at 2842 Eighteenth Street and 61320 Third Avenue East

The Tuscaloosa City Council voted to order demolition of two condemned properties during its public hearing segment: 2842 Eighteenth Street and 61320 Third Avenue East.

City staff presented the cases for both properties. For 2842 Eighteenth Street, staff reported the structure was condemned on Sept. 20, 2024, after inspectors documented 45 housing-code violations; staff said the property is in a revitalization area and that the owner had sold the property to a new owner who plans to demolish the building within weeks. City staff told the council the new owner was aware of the hearing and that if the city proceeds with demolition, demolition costs would be charged back to the owner.

For 61320 Third Avenue East, staff said the property was condemned Dec. 12, 2024, and cited 49 housing-code violations; that condemnation was described as voluntary. The owner had been contacted and was aware of the hearing; staff said demolition costs would be charged back to the owner if the city demolished the structure.

Councilors voted on each demolition order after staff presentations and finding no one present to speak for or against either property. The presiding mayor called the roll; the council recorded affirmative votes and announced demolition orders for both properties.

The council’s action places responsibility for demolition costs on the property owners if the city proceeds with removal, as staff explained during the hearing. No appeals or postponements were recorded in the meeting minutes for these items.

The council proceeded afterward to handle consent-agenda items and other public hearings.