By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA–The city of Columbiana has begun the abatement process for two properties located on Old Highway 25.

The city has partnered with Hand Arendall LLC to handle the abatement proceedings for 203 Old Highway 25 and 304 Old Highway 25 in Columbiana.

A public hearing will be held during the council’s April 7 meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at Columbiana City Hall 107 Mildred Street.

According to the legal publication notices, the properties have been described as “unsafe to the extent that it is a public nuisance and is subject to demolition.”

Columbiana Mayor Stancil Handley noted that the first step of the process is to contact the property owners by sending a notice asking to address the problems with the property. If the problems are not addressed, then the abatement proceedings will begin.

“The property owners have been given ample opportunities to clean up the properties and it hasn’t been done,” said Handley. “The worse case scenario is that when its ignored, the properties can be demolished by the city and a lien put on the property for the cost of the demolition repairs.”

Handley noted that last year, two notices were sent to property owners with similar problems with their property and both cooperated and no further legal proceedings were pursued.

The city has gotten complaints about the two properties and the fact that they are a nuisance and unsafe is what could lead to their demolition.