By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
A home at 133 N. Eighth St. in Decatur has been condemned by the city and could be taken down if no action is taken by its owner. The city’s building and zoning department has sent a notice to the owner, CONNEX, Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama, that it has until December 1 to decide what to do with the property.
If nothing is determined by that time, “we will take matters into our own hands,” department superintendent Curt Witte told the board of works and safety at its latest meeting.
“The house is not salvageable,” he added.
The structure is a threat to an adjacent home located only a few feet away (see photo). For that reason, city employees cannot take down the house.
Witte obtained a quote on the cost of removing the structure and sent it to CONNEX., but as of Nov. 21 he had not heard from the company.
Witte was at one time negotiating with the owner to get something done, but before anything was resolved, it was purchased by CONNEX. The company claims it bought the home sight-unseen, had no idea of its condition, and now says it can’t afford to demolish it.
“ROTTING” HOME: Also targeted for possible demolition is a home at 1034 Parkview Drive.
It was originally scheduled to be taken down as part of the city’s flood buyout program. However, the home ended up with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after the homeowner died, scuttling the buyout procedure.
It has been condemned for nearly a year and is now “just sitting there, rotting,” Witte said at the previous board meeting.
Attempts to contact the USDA have not been fruitful, so it was decided to give the government agency until Nov. 28 to do something.
At nothing happens, Witte will begin the process of seeking a demolition order.
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