Harlan Kirgan
Two derelict properties in Eunice are to be torn down by the city after Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen’s meeting.
They were among 10 properties to be scrutinized at the meeting.
Bill Thompson, code enforcement officer, said the property at 230 Rodney St. had been involved in a fire and “...nobody has done anything with it and I think it is time we need to tear it down.”
The Board agreed with Thompson’s assessment of the property listed as owned by Michelle Prudhomme Duos.
The second property on Thompson’s list, 230 S. Cane St., was given a 30-day extension after Charles Dupre, a relative of owners Albert and Lillie Mae Dupre, said he was boarding the property up and fixing the front.
The intent is to sell the property, Dupre said.
Thompson said the extension is to “... give him 30 days and see what happens.”
Burson added a provision in his motion to allow the 30-day extension that Thompson check with neighbors about the progress.
Vernon McManus, city attorney, said about the boarding up the building, “You have to do it in such a way that people cannot get in.”
Dupre also was directed to periodically check to make sure the boards are in place. “That’s your obligation,” McManus said.
Also given a 30-day extension was property at 140 S. St. George St. owned by Lessie Dupre.
Thompson said windows are broken on the property, but brush around the structure has been cleared.
At 470 Cotton St., owned by Olajuwon Harvey, the structure has been torn down, Thompson said.
“He performed what he needs to do,” Thompson said.
Another property nearly off the Board’s radar is at 350 E. Peach Ave. Thompson said the owner is waiting for dry weather to remove a trailer on the property.
The Board voted to condemn the property at 720 Carron St.
“The man hasn’t done a whole lot with the house,” Thompson said. “I think we should tear that house down.”
Burson said, “I always try to put myself in the position of the people who have houses next door and up the block. I’ve been sitting at this table for 24 years and I’ve seen people getting extensions of six months and nothing gets done. In the meantime, the neighbors get to look at that every day...”
The derelict structures also welcome “people with bad intentions,” he said.
In fact, 720 Carron was condemned at the Board’s June 12 meeting.
The property at 560 Lewis St. was given a 30-day extension. Thompson said work is being done on the property owned by Johnny Anderson.
Thompson said he goes by the Lewis Street property every week to check on the progress.
The Board placed three properties on its next meeting’s agenda for show cause hearings.
The properties are unique because they are adjudicated properties to the St. Landry Parish Government.
Mayor Scott Fontenot said he met with Parish President Bill Fontenot who advised him to go ahead with the show cause hearings.
The parish president said he would work with the city to clean up the properties, the mayor said.
The mayor said the properties at 230 S. Mallet St., 460 N. Mallet St. and 230 Olivia St. are listed for sale on the Civic Source web site.
Burson said based on photos given the Board, “These properties are beyond redemption.”
The Board also agreed to join litigation to recover city costs associated with opioid addiction after a presentation by Stan Feucht, assistant city attorney.
The city would join the law firm Morrow, Morrow, Ryan, Bassett & Haik, of Opelousas.