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Staff recommends condemnation for 13 downtown apartment buildings after code violations found
Summary
City staff told the council it is recommending condemnation proceedings for 13 downtown apartment buildings, citing more than 600 housing-code violations and continued public access despite prior outreach; the property owners were said to have been contacted and the owner(s) for at least one building were present at the meeting.
Tuscaloosa City staff presented a recommendation to begin condemnation proceedings for 13 downtown apartment buildings, saying the parcels have accumulated numerous housing-code violations and are open to public access.
“The ones that are in red are the ones that are up for condemnation,” the staff presenter said, showing slides of building front views and telling the council the presentation would be lengthy. Staff later summarized the basis as housing-code violations and public-nuisance findings, saying there are "over 600" total housing-code violations across the 13 buildings under discussion.
A council member for the district that includes the properties said the city and the mayor had conducted ride‑alongs and worked with owners but remained disappointed that buildings were still accessible to the public. Another attendee described seeing “20 something doors” from a vehicle during a site visit, underscoring field-observed safety concerns.
Why it matters: staff framed the condemnations as a public-safety and habitability response after prolonged noncompliance. The presentation identified multiple addresses the city has pursued, and the council heard that at least some owners or their representatives would be present later in the meeting to respond.
The council did not record a final vote on the broad condemnation package in the audio provided; several specific properties were discussed separately during the same agenda item and received individual recommendations or next steps.
