Council tables demolition of three condemned houses after owners or representatives request time to repair or complete purchase

The Tuscaloosa City Council voted to table demolition orders for three condemned properties to give owners or representatives time to pursue repairs, resolve title issues, or complete purchase and renovation steps.

For 2018 Dinah Washington Avenue, which the staff record shows was condemned Aug. 8, 2025 for 22 housing-code violations, the owner's niece, Lakeisha Ball, told the council the owners planned to "tear it down and make it like a small home" with a living room, den, bathroom and one bedroom. After staff and council discussion, a motion to table demolition for 90 days was moved and seconded and adopted.

At 271120 Fourth Street (staff recorded 47 housing-code violations; condemned Aug. 8, 2025), the owner or representative, George Jackson, said he has been investing several thousand dollars and that title and heir issues delayed further work. Councilmembers discussed the goal of eliminating blight but also noted the owner's investments; the council voted to table demolition for 30 days and said that after that period it would either look for clear progress or move forward with demolition.

For 272220 Second Street (also listed with 47 housing-code violations and condemned Aug. 8, 2025), purchasers Daryl Brown and Sheila Ryan Brown asked for 90 days to complete purchase and renovation; the council moved and seconded tabling for 90 days and the motion passed.

Staff told the council that owners have been contacted and that, if condemnation leads to city-ordered demolition, demolition costs will be charged back to the owners. Council members advised owners that extensions after the tabling period would be contingent on demonstrable progress or clear plans to bring the properties into compliance.