Tuscaloosa council delays demolition of condemned house at 3209 Seventh Street for 90 days

The Tuscaloosa City Council voted to delay action on the demolition of a condemned house at 3209 Seventh Street, giving the property owner 90 days to make repairs.

City staff told the council the property was condemned Dec. 8, 2023 and currently carries 46 housing-code violations; if the council later orders demolition the cost would be charged back to the owner. “The property has 46 housing code violations,” a staff member, Mr. Williams, told the council, and staff recommended giving the owner another 90 days.

The delay came after the council treated the item as an unfinished public hearing. Council members asked whether the owner—who staff said was aware of the hearing—was present; staff replied he was not. Council member discussion was limited; one council member said they were comfortable granting 90 days, and a motion to table for 90 days carried on a voice/roll-call vote.

Why it matters: the delay keeps the property in situ while the owner continues work to address code violations and preserves the council’s ability to order demolition later and assess demolition costs to the owner. Staff noted the owner had made some progress but was not present for the hearing.

What happened next: With no public speakers at the hearing, the council voted to table the demolition for 90 days. The item will return to the council if staff determines further action is needed or if the owner fails to make sufficient progress.

The record: staff cited the condemnation date (Dec. 8, 2023) and the count of 46 housing-code violations. The council did not adopt an immediate demolition order and did not set specific follow-up reporting requirements during the meeting.