Arkansas City Commission declares seven properties unsafe, gives owners 30 days to comply

The Arkansas City Commission voted unanimously to declare seven properties in the city unsafe and directed that the structures be repaired, shored, or demolished if owners do not comply within 30 days.

The resolution covers properties at 113 South Eighth Street; 211 North Fifth Street; 219 North Fifth Street; 514 South Sixth Street; 1200 West Linden Avenue; 314 East Maple Avenue; and 309 East Van Buren Avenue. The commission took the action after a public hearing in which code enforcement staff described collapsed roofs, broken windows, open doors, rotted porches and foundation problems at multiple addresses.

Code enforcement staff member Mike, presenting the cases, said the properties had been advertised in the newspaper and that certified notices were mailed to owners at the addresses on county records. "We do everything the state requires," Mike said, adding that the certified mailings had been returned undelivered in all seven cases. He told the commission the department had issued permits in at least one case but that permitted work had not progressed.

At the public hearing, a resident who said she was working to remove one structure told the commission she had paid for a demolition permit after hiring a contractor and that volunteers had been helping with the teardown. "We're trying to get it down. We got most of it down," the resident said. City staff told the resident the 30-day compliance clock begins when the commission declares the structure unsafe.

The commission moved and passed a resolution directing property owners to repair, shore, or remove the listed structures, and authorizing the city to act if owners fail to comply within 30 days.

The resolution does not list a monetary penalty in the text presented at the meeting; city staff said some of the properties are delinquent on taxes. The commission did not provide a timetable for city-conducted demolition beyond the 30-day compliance period.

The action follows repeated code-enforcement outreach: Mike told the commission the department had contacted owners multiple times and that some properties show little progress despite prior permits or notices. Commissioner remarks during the meeting urged owners to stay in regular contact with code enforcement and noted the hazards of unsecured, vacant buildings near schools and neighborhoods.

The commission took the vote at the meeting after closing the public hearing; vote was recorded as in favor with no opposition.

City staff said property owners will receive the formal resolution and that the next enforcement steps will be pursued if the owners do not meet the 30-day deadline.