A historic building across the street from Rooster Park in downtown Demopolis will be cordoned off to protect pedestrians from falling debris.
Demopolis Mayor Woody Collins told the Demopolis City Council Nov. 4 that he has received a letter from an engineer stating that the building at the corner of Washington Street and Walnut Avenue is in disrepair and could pose a hazard to pedestrians.
Collins said that the city will place barricades blocking the sidewalk around the building to protect citizens from injury and the city from liability. He said the building has been vacant for more than a decade.
City Councilman Hugh Overmyer, who owns the building, told the Black Belt News Network that he is “concerned about the structural integrity or lack thereof being a severe safety hazard for Demopolis citizens and visitors. To me, time is of the essence.”
Overmyer said one of his companies, Walnut Development, LLC, asked the Demopolis Historic Preservation Commission for permission to demolish the building at 103 E. Washington St. and 204 N. Walnut Ave. on Oct. 28. He said he provided DHPC inspections that showed the building was “not economically feasible for restoration,” which is the same conclusion other owners reached as well.
“The DHPC wanted to get their own engineer to inspect the building, despite the fact I supplied them with an inspection from a licensed engineer,” Overmyer said. “I am uncertain of the DHPC timeline; however, I will have some future plan ideas for the vacant space to them before their next scheduled meeting Nov. 25,” which he said will fulfill DHPC’s guidelines.
Collins told the Black Belt News Network that historic buildings in Demopolis, which include most of the downtown buildings, can’t be demolished until the building’s owner presents plans to the local historical commission about how the property will be used.
Overmyer said that the city should enforce ordinances and not let buildings get into such poor condition.
“Our city should be following (building) codes and enforcing their own laws,” Overmyer said. “If that were taking place, we would not be in this position or having this challenge. Unfortunately for these buildings, and perhaps a few others in town, they should have already been condemned.”
Overmyer said, “It is my understanding that public safety overrides historical guidelines in any city in Alabama.”
In other business, the city council reappointed Fred Armistead, Diane Brooker and Marty Duckworth to the Marengo County Economic Development Authority.
The council tabled a decision on appointing a member to the board of the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority, the organization that operates Whitfield Regional Hospital. There are currently two openings on the nine-member board, Collins said.
The city council approved alcohol licenses for food marts at 1316 Highway 80 and 1600 Highway 80.
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