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Tuscaloosa council spares 2531 26th Street but orders demolition at 4700 McFarland Blvd. E.
Summary
After hearing from property owners and inspections staff, the city council voted not to condemn 2531 26th Street but approved a demolition order for 4700 McFarland Boulevard East following testimony about code violations and recent repair efforts.
The Tuscaloosa City Council on June 13 voted against ordering demolition of a house at 2531 26th Street but approved demolition of a separate property at 4700 McFarland Boulevard East after debate over code violations and repair efforts.
Inspections staff told the council the 2531 property had 48 housing code violations but recommended against condemnation after the owner, Carolyn Scott, reported exterior repairs and boarding of the house. Scott told the council she had completed projects on the home and planned to finish interior work. "Thank you all so very much," Scott said after council members praised the improvements.
By contrast, the council considered an order to demolish the 4700 McFarland Boulevard East structure where attorney Cam Parsons, representing Skyland Hotels LLC and tenant operator Teddy Lee, said the operator and contractor had invested about "$695,000" to bring the property toward compliance but still had work remaining. Parsons asked for more time to finish exterior and interior items, security improvements and health-department-related cleanup.
Council discussion included members who said the McFarland property had long presented safety and nuisance concerns in their districts and others who pointed to recent investments. Inspections staff recommended additional time for repairs in light of the work completed, but a majority of the council voted to order demolition of the McFarland property. The presiding official noted that, as a procedural matter, appeals from a condemnation decision go to court.
The council did not order demolition for 2531 26th Street after a voice vote indicated that a majority opposed the condemnation. For the McFarland property, the clerk announced, "The demolition is ordered."
