Bunkie takes aim at neglected properties

The City of Bunkie is continuing its efforts to address abandoned and deteriorating properties, with the City Council taking additional action during its October 8 meeting.

The council approved moving forward with the notification and public hearing process for 44 properties identified as candidates for condemnation and possible demolition. Property owners will have an opportunity to respond before final decisions are made.

Two additional structures, located at 106 E. Magnolia Street and 109 N. Sycamore Street, were formally condemned following inspections that identified them as dangerous and dilapidated. Property owners have 60 days from notification to remove the structures before the city may proceed with demolition and place the costs as liens against the properties.

The council also gave property owners at 126 James Street and 504 Evergreen Street 60 days to submit repair plans, including funding. Both properties will be reinspected by the city's engineer following that period.

To support continued cleanup efforts, the council approved financial commitments toward an application for the 2027 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Clearance Program. If funding is awarded, the city has committed $4,000 per structure for professional services and up to $500 per parcel for legal expenses.

The city selected Pan American Engineers, LLC, to provide technical assistance and grant administration services associated with the proposed project.

The actions mark another step in Bunkie's ongoing effort to remove unsafe structures and improve neighborhood conditions through Operation Blight Fight. Additional public hearings will be required before the city can make final condemnation decisions on the newly identified properties. The city has not yet announced dates for those hearings or identified which properties may be included in future demolition work.