Bunkie continues 'Fight the Blight' effort

For the past few years, Bunkie city officials have been waging a "Fight the Blight" campaign to address dilapidated and dangerous properties. At its Oct. 13 meeting, the City Council showed the municipality is serious by condemning three structures.
The council unanimously accepted Pan American Engineers' report and its recommendation that the properties at 805 S. Mabel Street, 318 Ebony Street and 711 Patton Street be declared dangerous, in severe disrepair and that they be demolished or removed.
“An engineer has visited each property, taken pictures and given an in-depth report to the council on the dangers of the structure,” City Clerk Keatina Reynolds said. “These resolutions are the next step in the ‘Fight the Blight’ initiative.”
Hearings were held earlier this year to give owners an opportunity to present arguments as to why their property should not be condemned. There were no responses from the owners.
The owner of a condemned property has 30 days from the date he is notified of the condemnation to voluntarily demolish or remove the structure or structures, cap all utilities, remove all debris, and grade the site for drainage. They can also appeal the decision.
If the property owners do not appeal the decision or remove the structures, the city could do the work and add the cost to the property taxes for the site.
“Taxes have not been paid on these properties and the property owners have not responded to letters or appeared at the hearing,” Reynolds noted. “These inspections and resolutions will continue the process toward the city possibly having to send out bids to remove or tear down the structures in the future.”
The council authorized Mayor Brenda Sampson to take any actions required to enforce the decision and to notify the property owner by mail that their properties have been condemned.