Council tables demolition at 3209 Seventh Street for 90 days, tables 2216 Loop Road 30 days and orders demolition at 2204 Dinah Washington Ave.

The Tuscaloosa City Council during its meeting considered three property-condemnation public hearings and took separate actions: it tabled demolition of 3209 Seventh Street for 90 days after the property owner requested more time to complete repairs; it tabled demolition of 2216 Loop Road for 30 days at the request of a purchaser finalizing title; and it ordered the demolition of 2204 Dinah Washington Avenue.

Urban Development staff provided details to the council on each case. For 3209 Seventh Street, an Urban Development staff member, Mr. Williams, said the property was condemned on 12/08/2023 and noted the property had 46 housing code violations; he said siding, windows and doors had been installed and that the owner had been contacted and was present. The owner, Yaffa Bugs of 3209 Seventh Street, spoke and thanked the council and staff for their work and support. Bugs asked for additional time and a councilmember moved to give the owner 90 days; that motion was seconded and the council voted to table the demolition for 90 days.

Regarding 2216 Loop Road, Mr. Williams told the council the property was condemned on 10/16/2024 and had 48 housing code violations; he said a company has agreed to purchase the house and requested 30 days to complete title work and pull permits. The council moved, seconded and voted to table the demolition for 30 days to allow the purchaser time to complete title and permit steps.

For 2204 Dinah Washington Avenue, Mr. Williams reported the property was condemned on 10/17/2024 and had 40 housing code violations; the owner was not present. After asking for questions and receiving the Urban Development recommendation, the council voted to order demolition of the property.

The council discussion distinguished staff recommendations from owner requests: Urban Development presented the condemnation findings and timelines; owners or buyers in two cases asked for additional time; the council separately acted on each case. Council members who cast votes appear on the meeting record as saying “yes” during the roll calls for each item; the transcript does not provide a complete, named roll-call list in sequence for each vote.

The council noted that, in any condemned case, the owner is informed that demolition costs will be charged back to the property owner if the city performs the demolition.

Ending: The council wrapped the public hearings and proceeded to the consent agenda and other resolutions and budget items.