By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
More code enforcement issues came before Decatur’s board of works and safety at its latest meeting, with Mayor Dan Rickord noting that the city has had more than 450 such issues come before it this year.
Some 90% if the enforcement issues are driven by complaints, he pointed out.
Among the latest is the deteriorating structure at 133 N. Eighth St. The company that bought the property apparently won’t do anything to mitigate the problems, so the board is moving ahead with plans for demolition.
Rather than having city employees do the razing, the work will have to be contracted out since the building is so close to the home south of it (see photo). The demolition bill will be sent to the Alabama company that owns it, and if it doesn’t pay, then a lien will be attached to the property.
Meanwhile, the city has cleaned up a home at 1620 W. Madison and the bill will be sent to the owner.
Building/Zoning Superintendent Curt Witte said many items taken off the property have been placed in storage. The owner has until Dec. 21 to claim the items and pay the storage bill.
The board agreed to seek a court order for demolition of a structure at 1034 Parkview Dr. It is owned by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which hasn’t been responding to Witte’s attempts to contact it.
As for a home at 922 Harrison St., the owner is being fined $100 a day in violation of a order for a cleanup.