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Fort Smith board approves emergency demolition for three dilapidated properties
Summary
The Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance ordering demolition of three unsafe structures—3301 Neese Street, 407 N. 17th Street and 920 N. 10th Street—and discussed ongoing efforts to address dozens more blighted properties across the city.
The Board of Directors of the City of Fort Smith on Tuesday adopted an emergency ordinance authorizing the city administrator to demolish three dilapidated structures at 3301 Neese Street, 407 North 17th Street and 920 North 10th Street, and voted to pursue demolition actions on additional unsafe properties.
City staff said the measure responds to long-running code-enforcement cases and recent safety incidents. Sean Garner, a city staff member presenting the item, said the city is seeking authorization this year to remove 43 structures identified as deteriorated, unsafe or producing repeated complaints. “This evening, I have 43 structures that I'm seeking approval for for demolition action due to the deteriorating, dilapidated, and unsafe conditions,” Garner said.
Garner described the three properties before the board. He said enforcement on 3301 Neese Street began after complaints of squatting and visible structural failures; the city obtained a court order to enter the building in March 2024 and subsequently boarded the property. A certificate of unsafeness was filed with the county on Oct. 8, 2024. Garner reported $2,380.34 in liens recorded against the parcel to date.
Enforcement at 407 North 17th Street began in July 2022 after extensive fire damage; the property was red-tagged and repeatedly boarded, Garner said. He told the board that the property changed hands but the new owner did not complete required repairs and that December 2024 squatters started a fire that spread to an adjacent home, displacing a family.
The board heard that 920 North 10th Street is a long-running case, first opened under a previous administrator in 2016. Garner recounted efforts to work with the late owner, Pastor Joseph Longley Jr., and subsequent communication with the pastor’s heirs. The daughters have requested the city raze the structure and said they will arrange to repay city demolition costs.
Director Goodall, noting city staff’s outreach, urged continued engagement with nonprofit providers so people found in vacant buildings are offered shelter or services. Garner confirmed the city refers people encountered in vacant structures to local nonprofits and day shelters when appropriate.
The body approved the ordinance and the emergency clause by recorded roll call votes of 6-0. The ordinance text listed the three addresses by street and authorized the city administrator to carry out demolition and recover costs as provided by existing municipal processes.
The presentation noted the city’s intention to regularly bring groups of identified properties to the board—roughly quarterly—so that staff can secure ordinances allowing removals and reduce neighborhood blight.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance ordering demolition of structures at 3301 Neese Street, 407 North 17th Street and 920 North 10th Street — Motion to adopt ordinance with suspension of the rules approved 6-0; emergency clause adopted 6-0.
The board did not receive any public speakers on the ordinance and called the measure up for immediate action under the suspension request.
