Tuscaloosa council orders multiple demolitions, tables one case after owner appeal

The Tuscaloosa City Council heard several public hearings on condemned properties and took a mix of actions: it ordered demolition for some properties, set demolition costs and authorized liens for others, and agreed to a two‑week delay in a separate case to allow an owner time to seek a buyer.

City staff presented multiple condemnation cases citing housing code violations (the transcript repeatedly references "47 housing code violations" for a number of properties). For 2646 25th Street, staff said the property had been condemned and listed violations; homeowners Carmen Thomas and Donna Thomas came forward to thank staff for bringing the property back into compliance. After council discussion and a roll call, the transcript records the outcome as "Demolition fails."

At the hearing for 2327 Jack Warner Parkway, owner Marcus Menages told council he had crews working, disputed the date on photographs presented to the council and said he planned to remove a slab and continue repairs. For 3153 Riggs Road, owner Carol Crowell said she was trying to sell the property to avoid losing everything; after discussion council moved and seconded a motion to table the action for two weeks to allow her to seek a prospective buyer. The motion to table passed by recorded vote.

Council also set costs of demolition and authorized filing liens for several properties and explained the post-lien process: once a lien is prepared it will be routed through the city attorney’s office and staff will work with property owners on payment plans. Katheria Taylor, an owner who arrived at the hearing to learn what setting the demolition cost meant, was told that setting the cost does not immediately authorize demolition but does set the lien process in motion.

Council members repeatedly noted that demolition costs can be charged back to owners and that property owners have appeal options; staff asked council to allow time for due diligence where parcel numbering or record discrepancies were identified. The meeting record shows numerous routine votes adopting demolition cost resolutions, lien authorizations and the ordering of demolitions where no owner appeared to contest the action.