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Abandoned Opelousas building in need of bidder before demolition
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OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- Abandoned properties owned by the city of Opelousas, including the building on the corner of Main and Grolee Streets were initially given 90 days to find a bidder to bring the building back to life or be demolished. With these 90 days up, it looks like the building may be coming down, but there is a chance to save it.
"From a safety standpoint," Lance Ned with Code Enforcement said in March. "I mean, is it safe for the citizens? Probably not."
"It's a danger hazard," Marvin Richard, alderman at large, said. "And being that it belongs to the city, we have to do something about it."
The building which has stood in Opelousas for over a century was donated to the city three years ago.
With expensive damages to building, including a collapsed roof and damaged interior, Code Enforcement in the city has pitched the idea to destroy the building.
A pitch that council members such as Marvin Richard tried to avoid by allowing potential investors 90 days to purchase the building for renovation.
A call that has gone unanswered.
"It's been a lot of talk, but no one has come yet," Richard said.
With the 90-day deadline now met, Opelousas Main Street Director Gretchen Erlingson said there is one last chance to save the building.
"I spoke with a developer who has a history of restoring historic buildings and would be interested in an opportunity on building on this building," Erlingson said.
With city ordinances in place saying property owners have to maintain buildings, council members are allowing one last extension of 30 days before the building is scheduled for demolition.
"If we keep kicking the can down the road," John Guilbeaux of city council District A said. "Our city is going to continue to look like it's looking right now."
"We have to do something about it," Richard said. "Lead by example. We're still giving them an opportunity because it will be on the meeting which will be next month."
Richard said the fate of the building will be on the agenda for the August council meeting and if no bidders come forward, it will have to be destroyed for the good of the city.