Troy city officials target six homes for removal

Published 10:00 pm Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The owners of six dilapidated houses deemed unsafe by the City of Troy appealed to the City Council Tuesday for more time to repair the crumbling structures.

The properties, located at 139 and 209 Montgomery St. and 500, 610, 700 and 902 North Three Notch St., are owned by Donnie and Metra Hughes of Panhokee, Fla. under the business name Historical Rentals, Inc.

The owners were notified in August by the city that the buildings had been deemed unsafe and would be removed without significant repairs.

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The Hughes’ attorney, Levi Nichols, told the city council that more than $250,000 has been invested in renovating the buildings and the Hughes want more time to complete the repairs.

“We know they need work, Mr. Hughes knows they need work and they are going to get work,” Nichols said.

City Council president Johnny Witherington said the buildings show little sign that any renovations have been done. City records show it has been eight years since the last building permit for renovations had been requested on any of the structures.

“It’s clear to me that it has been a long time since any effort has been made to renovate or secure any of the properties”, Witherington said.

Witherington said the homes are in “terrible condition,” with collapsed structures, unsecured doors, broken windows and water damage.

“They have deteriorated to the point where they are unsafe,” he said.

Nichols was told the Hughes have until the Oct. 28 City Council meeting to present a plan for repairing the structures or else the city will proceed with plans to remove them.

In other business, the council voted to approve restaurant retail liquor licenses for The Landing Pad L.L.C and Buffalo Junction.