Montgomery City Council Votes to Demolish “Nuisance” Homes
[gtxvideo vid=”WuAWzPl2″ playlist=”” pid=”XiOflQdH” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/WuAWzPl2.jpg” vtitle=”Montgomery City Council Votes to Demolish House”]
An abandoned house on Montgomery’s west side will soon be demolished. We first told you about the house a few years ago, and on Tuesday, Montgomery City Council voted to demolish it, along with a few other eyesores on that part of town.
Edna Gregory has lived in her home on Early Street for 42 years and for the past few years, she’s lived next to a vacant house.
1009 Early Street has been a nuisance to nearby residents for years. Alabama News Network first told you about the abandoned house back in 2013. We found that the state of Alabama is listed as its owner. Residents have told us the house attracts illegal activity like drugs, prostitution and arson.
“Our houses are wood houses,” Gregory says. “If that one catches fire we’re asleep and we don’t know to call anybody, all of us might be on fire.”
But in just a matter of weeks, the house will be a thing of the past. Tuesday, city council voted to demolish it, the last step before an unsafe structure is torn down.
“I feel good about that,” says Charles Dillilay. “I’m happy to see it happening. It’s been a long process to say the least.”
Dillihay says he’s made hundreds of complaints about the house and plans to have a front row seat to the demolition.
“I’ll be out here looking and clapping.”
And it’s not just 1009 Early Street that’s getting the X. Council approved demolition of other vacant houses on the west side. 2315 Mill Street, 4408 South Court Street, 207 West South Boulevard, and 213 West South Boulevard. All to the delight of nearby residents.
“I guess the city guy was out here and he said funds had been put in to tear them down and I went and shook his hand because I was happy it came about,” says Lee Thornton. “I’m just tired of them looking like this, they make our neighborhood look bad.”
All of the homes are in Councilman David Burkette’s district.
“It’s a big relief,” Burkette says. “It’s something that I’ve been crying about for years. It’s a long time coming and I really appreciate their patience.”
So how long will it take before we see the tractors and bulldozers out there? The postings on the homes say anywhere in the next 30 days.
