City staff moves to condemn two long-vacant Tuscaloosa houses after year of inaction

City staff asked the Tuscaloosa City Council during pre-council to place two long-vacant houses — 1308 Royal Oaks Court and 52020 Fifth Avenue East — on the condemnation list after owners failed to complete repairs or undertake permitted work.

The properties were described to the council as follows: 1308 Royal Oaks Court was a “burn house” from a fire in April of last year, and city staff said the owners have been contacted but have not responded. For 52020 Fifth Avenue East, staff said an owner had pulled a permit and reported intent to save the structure but that on recent drive-by inspection “it doesn't look like anything's been done.”

“'Our motion is just to go ahead and condemn. If they come with a plan, y'all can hear them out,'” City staff said, urging condemnation for both properties while leaving the door open for owners to present remediation plans.

Council members asked for clarifications about the fire date and whether the owners had insurance. Staff replied that the fire occurred in April of last year and that they did not know whether the property owner had insurance. Staff also reported prior attempts to resolve the 52020 Fifth Avenue East property through property-maintenance processes and said family members had disagreed about how to proceed, prompting the condemnation action.

Outcome and next steps: staff reported the properties were being placed in condemnation for follow-up; no formal council vote on condemnation was recorded in the pre-council discussion. Staff said owners who come forward with a remediation plan may be heard by the council before final action.

The council will receive staff follow-up and any owner plans at a subsequent public meeting.