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Miss Clifton urges new approach to dilapidated commercial buildings in McAlester
Summary
Miss Clifton told the council commercial blight requires a different legal and budgetary approach than residential blight, citing asbestos/NESHAP requirements, higher demolition costs and complex ownership that limit the city's ability to recover expenses.
Miss Clifton told the McAlester City Council on Monday that dilapidated commercial buildings pose distinct legal and budgetary challenges compared with residential blight and called for the city to treat commercial condemnation and demolition more like hazardous-waste projects.
"We have to be really careful at least providing ample amount of time for the property owners to address these buildings," Clifton said, adding that condemnation and demolition should be a last resort. She described commercial structures as "eyesores, or concerns for the public," but said reuse is often made infeasible by code triggers that require bringing vacant properties up to current building standards.
Clifton cited local and state authority for action, referencing a city ordinance (Article 9 §18531)…
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