Photograph: Jamie Lavine Savoy speaking to the Board of Aldermen about her property at 911 E. Sandoz Street. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The Board of Aldermen voted this week to provide the owners of properties located on Sandoz and Attakapas streets at least 90 more days in order to begin upgrading the houses they own before making a final decision on condemnation and demolition.
However demolition procedures on structures at seven other locations citywide are now scheduled to begin according to a unanimous vote by the aldermen.
Owners Provided With Extended Deadlines
The Board listened to Jamie Lavine Savoy who asked for more time to rehabilitate a house at 911 E. Sandoz and German Lafontaine, who also requested additional days to repair an abandoned house at 1401 Attakapas.
Code Enforcement Director Margaret Doucet said the proposed demolition of the Sandoz Street house was recommended after she received complaints from neighbors next to the house.
Savoy however complained that problems with the property have occurred due to trash that Savoy said originates from neighbors that “are contributing to the debris.”
The house was last inhabited in 2014 Savoy admitted. In addition Savoy pointed to a number of reasons such as financial issues for delaying improvements to the property. The house Savoy said, is being used primarily for storage.
Mayor Julius Alsandor said that issues at the house date back as far as 17 years and that the house is considered by Code Enforcement to be uninhabitable.
Doucet said that she has already engaged in several discussions with Lafontaine about the condition of the Attakapas property.
Lafontaine and Doucet agreed that progress has already started to correct code violation issues that exist with the house. Lafontaine stated that his rehabilitation of the property has included using new items and added that he has spent a lot of his retirement income during the process.
Properties Undergoing Demolition
The Board voted to condemn and prepare for demolition at the following addresses:
322 Academy Street
1205 West Landry and Veazie streets (former Cormier Motors building)
622 Joseph Street
426 S. Liberty Street
833 East Street
637 Planters Street
619 Joseph Street
In most cases Doucet pointed out that nothing has been done to indicate refurbishing projects for any of the structures scheduled for demolition.
No one addressing any of the properties now set to be demolished spoke to the Board.
