Athens council continues public hearing on unsafe structure at 1402 U.S. Highway 72 East

At its regular meeting, the Athens City Council continued a public hearing for 30 days on a proposed resolution that would find the structure at 1402 U.S. Highway 72 East unsafe and a public nuisance and order abatement.

City staff told the council the property owner’s representative has provided two options: a local contractor’s quote to demolish the building and a quote to repair the roof, with the repair estimate running about three times the cost of removal. Staff also said the owner has a “letter of intent” from a national company that would occupy the site if the building is removed. "They have asked for a 30 day extension so that they can solidify a contract with a national brand," a staff member identified in the record as Eric said. The council set the continuation for the March 24 meeting.

Why it matters: Council members split between giving the owner time to finalize a plan and moving more quickly to condemnation. Supporters of the 30-day continuation said the legal process already in motion has produced concrete responses from the property owner. Opponents said the city should avoid fronting taxpayer money for demolitions when they believe owners can pay.

Details and debate

Eric, a staff member handling the case, told the council the owner’s representative had produced both a demolition quote and a repair quote and that the owner requested a 30-day extension to finalize a contract tied to the letter of intent. "If that happens, then the property—the building goes away, and we meet our goal, which is to clean that up," Eric said. He added that if the lease does not materialize, the owner would proceed with repairs, which also would address the city’s concern.

Council member Wells said he would not support condemning the property now and urged patience. "I'm not gonna support doing this," Wells said, arguing the owner could afford demolition and that the city should not spend taxpayer funds—he cited an estimate of about $32,000—if the owner will act. Eric and other staff pushed back that the city’s legal process has already prompted action, noting staff had received demolition and repair quotes and the letter of intent.

Council discussion noted the city’s past experience recovering demolition costs. A staff speaker said the city has had about a 90% recovery rate on past condemnations and that proposed condemnations come back to council for approval before funds are spent.

Public comments

Several residents raised broader concerns about selective enforcement and other deteriorating properties in Athens. Amanda Schulte asked the council to publish more detailed agendas showing amounts and funding sources for items before votes. "I would like to know what is being spent and on what pot of money it's coming out of," Schulte said, urging greater transparency so residents can follow spending decisions.

Other residents pointed to apparent inconsistencies, saying properties in North Athens and the former Miller School remained in poor condition while the Shoney’s site received attention. David Malone, who identified his address, told the council the backside of Miller School "looks like a dump" and urged action there as well.

Next steps and staff direction

The council left the public hearing open and continued it to the March 24 meeting so the owner can confirm whether a lease or demolition contract will be finalized. Staff said if no substantive action has occurred by that meeting, the city will return the matter to council for potential condemnation and abatement proceedings. The record includes staff statements that condemnation authority and cost-recovery steps would follow established procedures and be brought to council for approval before spending city funds.

The continuation preserves both paths described by staff: demolition if the lease materializes and repair if it does not. Council members emphasized the choice between waiting for private action and using the city’s condemnation process if the property remains unchanged.