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Owner given 30 days to file rehab plan for condemned property at 1515 Orange Street
Summary
At a public hearing the North Little Rock City Council declared structures at 1515 Orange Street a public nuisance but gave owner James Hatchett 30 days to enter a rehab agreement and avoid demolition; staff explained escrow and timelines for bringing the property up to code.
The North Little Rock City Council on the night called a public hearing and declared the buildings at 1515 Orange Street a public nuisance, but gave the property owner a chance to avoid demolition by filing a rehabilitation agreement within 30 days.
Owner James Hatchett told the council he owns 1515 Orange Street and is finishing work on another property in Little Rock before returning to the Orange Street project. He said the house has been repeatedly broken into, with squatters stealing copper piping and an air-conditioning unit, and asked for time to secure and rehabilitate the property.
City staff member Felicia explained the rehabilitation option available when the council moves to condemn: an owner may enter a rehab agreement within 30 days, must post an escrow equal to the estimated cost of demolition (typically around $5,000, higher if asbestos is present), and then has up to six months to complete repairs and obtain a certificate of occupancy. Council members asked clarifying questions about the timeline and the owner's readiness to proceed.
After the exchange, the council voted to adopt the condemnation resolution while simultaneously offering Hatchett the rehab pathway and the 30-day window to return with a formal rehab agreement and the required escrow. Hatchett said he would contact staff and proceed to comply.
The council directed city staff to provide the rehab agreement forms and follow up with the owner; if Hatchett does not file the agreement within 30 days the city may proceed with demolition and lien procedures as described during the hearing.
Next steps: the owner was instructed to contact the city attorney’s office and staff to obtain forms and submit a rehab agreement within 30 days; the council left the matter subject to the terms of that agreement.
