Business leader halts building due to dilapidated properties

by WAKA Action 8 News

A Montgomery business leader wants to build a new subdivision on the west side of town, an area he says is in desperate need new housing. But there’s one issue stopping him — now, he’s asking for the city’s help.

For some neighbors in west Montgomery, the 40 acres of land on Mobile Drive near Highway 80 may just look like part of their back yard.

It’s area owned by business leader, Dr. Alfred Seawright, who wants to build at least 75 new homes.

So what’s stopping him?

“It’s houses like this right here,” Said Seawright, pointing to a home off Lark Drive — it was tagged with grafitti; broken windows and part of the roof was gone. Beer cans were scattered along the property; near the door, was an “X,” marked by the City of Montgomery as a dilapidated home and a  “notice” sign for the property owner.

“If you invest your money and you want somebody to buy a brand new house, then you got all of this: houses that look like this around,” Said Seawright.

He says there are too many dilapidated houses in west Montgomery and not enough new home developments..

“I want to see about maybe 75 to100 houses; brick homes, very nice. I want to see a walking trail. I want to see a pond,” Said Seawright. They’re homes that could range between $120,000 to $140,000.

But Seawright believes city leaders have forgotten about the west side of town, which is slowing development. However, Mayor Strange says tearing down the eyesores is a much longer process than some believe.

“The problem is you’ve got to make sure that you have the legal authority, the legal right. The person that owns the property has had due process to be able to get it done,” Said Strange.

Still, some neighbors are wondering what’s the hold up. Terry Robinson lives in the area and wants to see the city and Seawright form a partnership.

“I think they should all get together and come up with some good plan. But if [Seawright is] willing to build out here on the west side, I’m all for it,” Said Robinson.

Mayor Strange told us the reason why people haven’t seen many dilapidated homes torn down in the last year is because of the city’s focus on tearing down dilapidated homes along the Selma-to-Montgomery March trail. Next year, will be the 50-th anniversary of the march.

However, Strange says the dilapidated home project along the trail is almost done and the city should return soon to tear eyesore homes in other areas.

If the city were to begin tearing down dilapidated homes in west montgomery, Seawright says building new homes in that area could start as early as six months.