Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Condemnation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Maumelle council adopts condemnation resolution for long-delayed build at 116 Delaware Lane
Summary
After residents described exposed rebar, overgrown lots and safety risks, Maumelle City Council adopted Resolution 2025-17 to condemn the unfinished structure at 116 Delaware Lane; the council debated a four-month extension before voting to adopt the condemnation, and the mayor cast a deciding vote in support.
Maumelle — The Maumelle City Council on May 19 adopted Resolution 2025-17 to condemn a partially built residence at 116 Delaware Lane, a property owned by Start Construction LLC, after neighbors described years of unfinished construction, safety hazards and repeated delays.
Neighbors Andrew Hunt and Neil Scoggins told the council the unfinished home had been a nuisance since work began in 2022, citing a collapsed wall, exposed rebar near the sidewalk, overgrown grass and dumped construction materials. “We have children in the neighborhood… I always fear cutting myself” on exposed rebar, Andrew Hunt said during public comment.
Trent Thomas, representing the property owner, asked the council to grant additional time to complete the project and said the builder had provided a bank letter showing funding to finish. Thomas requested a four-month timetable to reach a rough-in inspection and a final-completion window of six to eight months.
City planning staff and the city attorney told the council the project’s history included multiple permit revocations, an engineer’s review that required rebuilding a wall, and a materialmen’s lien that staff said has since been resolved. Staff explained that condemnation would allow the city to require a $50,000 performance bond if the owner sought to resume construction; the bond would be intended to ensure funds were available to finish or, if necessary, remove the structure without exposing the city to excessive cost. Staff also warned that a condemnation could prompt an appeal and that litigation might extend the time neighbors must live with the unfinished structure.
Council members split over whether to table the matter to allow the builder more time or adopt condemnation to secure enforcement tools. Council Member Tierney voted against the resolution, citing skepticism about whether a short extension would produce meaningful progress. Council Members Growald, Booker, Shen and Holt voted to adopt the resolution; the mayor then cast an additional vote in favor and the resolution was recorded as adopted.
The resolution instructs staff to proceed under the city’s condemnation authority; staff said the condemnation is intended primarily to secure financial assurance (the $50,000 bond) and to create leverage to move the project toward completion rather than to immediately demolish the structure. City officials also said they are preparing a separate ordinance to provide clearer, earlier enforcement tools for prolonged, stalled residential construction.
What happens next: Staff will follow the condemnation procedure outlined in Resolution 2025-17; if the owner seeks to resume construction after condemnation, the city’s code would require a performance bond to protect the municipality. Council members and staff said they expect to bring a proposed ordinance with additional enforcement options to a future meeting.
The council adopted the resolution after roll-call votes among council members showed four in favor and one opposed; the mayor later voted to finalize adoption.
