The city will move to tear down some houses, give some homeowners a little more time and may pay at least one for improvements done on a home the city later tore down.
The Clarksdale Board of Mayor and Commissioners gave direction to Code Enforcement Officer David Walker to give two homeowners time to repair their homes, and also directed him to begin demolition on others.
Mayor Chuck Espy directed city board attorney Melvin Miller to get invoices and photos of work done to on Delores Curtis’ property at 904 Sunflower that was demolished by the city this summer for possible restitution. Curtis said she had begun renovation when the city tore it down and hauled it off.
Miller said Monday that Curtis has not provided the proper documentation and asked the city give her more time to get that paperwork. No dollar amount has been made public.
Other properties discussed were:
• Lara Brooks, 509 Paul Edwards: On a motion by Ward 3 Commissioner Willie Turner and a second by Ward 4 Commissioner Ed Seals was allowed permits to rehabilitate property and demolition delayed.
• Johnny Clark, 507 Grant: On a motion by Ward 2 Commissioner Ken Murphey seconded by Turner was given until Oct. 12 to show significant improvements to his property.
• Samuel Kemp, 517 Ritchie: On a motion Ward 1 Commissioner Bo Plunk seconded by Murphey, suspended Demolition and allow 1 week for Mr. Griffin to obtain a building permit.
• Carrie Stokes, 461 Prince: On a motion by Turner seconded by Seals for Stokes was told she must show significant improvements at her property within three months.
• Debra Jones, 812 Grant Place: On a motion by Murphey seconded by Seals demolish the property.
• Lennell Starks, 1132 Barnes: On a motion by Plunk seconded by Murphey to declare property a public health menace, mow the grass and place a lien on the property.
