Council orders demolition at one condemned property and tables two others for 90 days

The City of Tuscaloosa council on Dec. 20 considered three condemnation items and took different actions on each. For 2322 Herman Avenue, staff reported the property was condemned on Sept. 19, 2025, cited 47 housing-code violations and a house fire on May 30, 2024; the owner was not present and the council voted to order demolition and to charge demolition costs to the owner.

For 142 18th Court East, staff reported the property had been condemned on Sept. 19, 2025, with 46 housing-code violations. An owner representative, Ivy Cadell (speaking for Mary Dykes), told the council the family had pulled a building permit and asked to keep and repair the property: "We would like to keep our property. We would like to, fix it and everything. I did, get a building permit." Councilmembers discussed timelines and asked for visible exterior progress; the council voted to table the demolition for 90 days to allow the owner to show repairs.

For 6414 31st Street, staff said the property had 45 housing-code violations and that the owner had pulled a permit and started interior repairs. Owner Claudette Cambor told the council she was planning a full roof replacement and requested more time: "I would like to redo the whole roof and finish the rest of the work. I just need a little bit more time to get some more funds together." Councilmember Edmond moved to table the demolition for 90 days, and the council approved the tabling motion by voice vote.

Staff clarified that if properties are demolished the cost of demolition will be charged back to the owner. Where owners requested additional time and showed permits or progress, the council used a 90‑day tabling period to allow owners to demonstrate exterior repairs; where the owner was not present and violations were documented with a prior fire, the council ordered demolition.