Alabaster OKs demolition of 2 abandoned houses

Published 12:15 pm Wednesday, March 22, 2017

By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The city of Alabaster will cover the cost of demolishing a pair of abandoned, dilapidated houses on Butler Road, and likely will attach the cost as a lien on the properties.

During a mid-March meeting, the Alabaster City Council voted unanimously to accept recommendations from the city’s Housing Abatement Board to demolish the long-vacant homes at 2022 Butler Road and 2040 Butler Road.

The council’s vote came after a public hearing on the matter, during which nobody spoke for or against the demolitions.

During a Jan. 19 work session, Alabaster Fire Department Planning and Safety Division Lt. Rick Benson said the pair of homes have been empty for a significant amount of time, and said they present safety hazards for those who live near them.

Benson said the properties are so overgrown many passersby don’t know they contain homes, and said the lots pose a hazard to children and others who trespass there.

After the city pays to have the properties cleared, it will attach the demolition cost as liens. The liens would have to be repaid to the city if the properties are sold in the future.

Benson previously said the two properties are owned by the same people, who are in favor of the city tearing them down.

Since the council has approved the demolitions, crews will be able to move forward after a 30-day grace period, said Alabaster City Attorney Jeff Brumlow.