Tuscaloosa council tables two demolition orders after owners report repairs

The Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to table two demolition orders — for 3620 23rd Street and 3209 7th Street — for 90 days after owners told the council they are completing repairs and have pulled permits.

Clerk briefed the council that 3620 23rd Street had been condemned on Oct. 6, 2025, and carried 47 housing-code violations. Owner Theseus O'Neil told the council, "My name is Theseus O'Neil. I am the owner of 3620 23rd Street," and said he and his husband, Werner Thomas, had pulled permits and were working on the roof, wall wrapping and back steps. O'Neil said prior approvals had been issued and that workers had begun demolition of a failing wall; he asked the council to allow time to complete repairs.

Councilmember Williams moved to table the demolition for 90 days; after a second and no public comment for or against, the council recorded unanimous votes and the demolition was tabled. The clerk announced, "The demolition has been tabled for 90 days."

The council then considered a demolition order for 3209 7th Street, condemned Dec. 8, 2023, with 46 housing-code violations. The owner asked for 60 days but council members cited weather and recommended 90 days to allow further progress. Council moved and seconded to table the item for 90 days and voted unanimously to do so.

Both tablings were procedural decisions that preserve the city's option to proceed with condemnation and demolition later; councilmembers praised visible progress by owners during the public hearing but did not adopt additional conditions or further enforcement actions during the meeting.

Next steps: each demolition order will return to the council after the 90‑day period for further review or action.