Upset About Abandoned Homes?

By Steve Alexander Reporter

People in Alabama Village want abandoned houses repaired or demolished Upset About Abandoned Homes?

Published: Wed, February 20, 2008 - 10:05 pm

Steve Alexander

People in Prichard took the opportunity Wednesday night to hold their government leaders accountable.
City leaders met with people who live in Council District Two.
Walk down Baldwin Drive in Alabama Village and its easy to see what's on people minds.
Those we talked to didn't want to appear on camera, but they had the same concerns.
One person said, "You got all those abandoned houses. Somebody might kill somebody. They might be hiding in one of them."
Still another said, "People are always in those houses. When a person moves out, I think the best thing the landlord should do is board their houses up. But you just have to deal with it. That's what we have to deal with and that's what we've been dealing with."
However, Mayor Ron Davis says people don't have to deal with problems.
He says they need to call him.
Davis says when city officials learn about an abandoned house, "We send a letter out by mail and we send one by certified mail, notifying the owners that they have 45 days to improve the property or demolish it. We also post a letter on the door letting them know what repairs need to be for them to upgrade that property."
Wednesday night's meeting was one of a series of meetings Prichard city officials are holding.
The next one is for people who live in Council District Three.
Its scheduled for February 25th at Whitley Elementary School.