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Tuscaloosa council reopens demolition order for 2842 Eighteenth Street, tables final decision 30 days
Summary
After initially ordering demolition of a long-vacant house at 2842 Eighteenth Street, the Tuscaloosa City Council voted to reconsider and rescind that demolition order and then voted to table the matter for 30 days to allow the owner time to pursue offers and repairs.
The Tuscaloosa City Council reopened and then paused action on a demolition order for a long-vacant house at 2842 Eighteenth Street, voting to rescind a prior demolition order and table the matter for 30 days.
Council members initially moved to condemn and demolish the structure, which the city recorded as having been condemned on 09/20/2024 and cited for 45 housing code violations. Staff reported the owner had boarded the house and removed trash and debris but had not begun repairs; the owner was not present at that hearing.
During the citizens’ comment period a man identifying himself as Sammy (109 Watchland Way, Pelham) told the council he had an active listing on the property, was negotiating offers and asked the council for additional time. Sammy said, “We have offers that we're trying to negotiate right now,” and asked the council to grant more time to complete a sale or renovation. The city attorney (name not provided in the public record) explained the council could either leave the condemnation in place or rescind the demolition order and table the matter; the attorney said that once a property is ordered condemned the process moves forward but that the council could table the matter to give the owner extra time.
After public comment, councilmembers voted to reconsider the earlier demolition decision, then voted to rescind the earlier demolition order. Council then approved a motion to table the condemnation/demolition for 30 days and directed that the item return to the council at that time. Councilmember Wilson stated, “I’m willing to give you 30 days, but that’s it,” and the council recorded the motion to set the tabling period at 30 days.
City staff had earlier described the property as within a revitalization area authorized by Mayor Maddox and noted the owner would be billed for demolition costs if the council ultimately moved forward with demolition. Council members and administration members emphasized concerns about blight in District 1 and said the 30-day tabling decision was a limited extension; several councilmembers warned that no further extensions should be expected if work or sale did not proceed.
The item will return to the council after the 30-day period for further action. The city attorney advised that if the council does not act to table or rescind again, the previously initiated condemnation process will continue through the city’s standard code-enforcement procedures.
