Broussard council orders demolition of two derelict homes, tables third for family inspection

Broussard City Council on March 11 voted to condemn 422 West Main Street and 206 Truman Street and tabled action on 128 Ninth Street to allow family members time to inspect the interior and consider repairs.

The council said the measures respond to long-vacant houses that neighbors reported as blighted and hazardous. Building staff told the council the properties have had no water service for years and show structural damage, roof holes and overgrowth.

Building official Ben told the council about 422 West Main, which is listed in tax records as Abigail Land Holding 8, LLC, and said the house “hasn’t had water service since 2017” and has attracted late-night activity and overgrowth. Ben said the city would demolish the house if the owner does not repair it and would place a lien on the property to recover demolition costs. “We would tear it down and put a lien on it,” he said.

Ben recommended condemnation and, after a roll-call vote, the council approved the motion to condemn 422 West Main. According to staff, the city’s practice is to notify the recorded owner and allow statutory due-process time (approximately 30 days) for response; if the owner does not act, the city proceeds with demolition and records a lien until costs are paid.

The council also considered 128 Ninth Street, a property associated with Mayola Green and the Joseph Williams estate. Francis Washington, who identified himself as the son of Neil Green, asked the council for more time, saying his 96-year-old mother has Alzheimer’s and family members are scattered across Texas and need to assemble to decide whether to repair the house. “I’m asking you all to give us some time to do that,” Washington said.

Councilman Delahoussay moved to table the Ninth Street condemnation to the April 22 meeting and to have the city inspector perform a full interior inspection this week or next, with the family to report progress at that meeting; the motion passed. City staff told the family any repair work would need to be done by licensed professionals and that the family would be required to return with contracts showing licensed work before the council would rescind condemnation steps.

A third property, 206 Truman Street, also tied to the Joseph Williams estate, drew testimony from Ben that the structure had “holes in the roof” and was “beyond repair.” The council approved condemnation and demolition for that property.

The actions put the city on the path to abating public-safety hazards; for the two properties where condemnation passed, staff said the next steps are owner notification, the statutory response period, and demolition if repairs are not made. For 128 Ninth Street, the council set an inspection and an April 22 follow-up so the family can present a repair plan if they choose.