The Columbia Board of Aldermen Tuesday accepted a $2,400 bid to tear down one of the many dilapidated houses on the list of blighted properties.
Doyle Miller Excavating will demolish and remove the debris from 518 Bullis St. after submitting the lowest of three bids. MML Enterprises bid $2,475 and Bates and Son Dozer LLC $2,700.
“It’s a dilapidated house in the curve at the end of the street,” Building Inspector Lonnie Stringer said. “It has been on the list for a while. We’re making progress with some of these properties.”
The cost will be applied back to the owner’s property taxes.
The board voted 3-0 to approve the winning bid. Ward 2 Alderman Jason Stringer and Ward 3 Alderwoman Anna Evans were not present due to attending a state-mandated water service training class.
The board is also awaiting resolution on the demolition at 151 S. High School Ave.
“This is the old food pantry site,” Stringer said. “We were supposed to have a hearing last month and should have had a resolution on it by now.”
In other property action, the board ordered the mowing and cleaning of properties at 424 Dale St. and 310 Hawkins Ave. Aldermen also sent letters to property owners at 909 Pope St. for a demolition and 1205 Church St., 321 Hawkins Avenue and 921 Garden Avenue for mowing and cleaning.
Stringer said properties at 1212 Broad St., 704 Broad St. 704 Alberta Avenue, 804 Church St., 806 Church St., 607 Lafayette St. and 1112 Maxwell Avenue had been cleaned.
Aldermen also held discussions on appointing members to the Planning Commission and the Board of Appeals. Mayor Justin McKenzie asked the board to submit names for consideration.
“The Planning Commission sets the tone for the city’s future,” McKenzie said.
The city is also looking further into proposals to purchase a tractor for the street department to be used in the cemeteries.
“Our current backhoe is 20 years old, and we’ve been averaging digging 120 graves per year,” McKenzie said. “It’s getting worn out and often needs repairs.”
Quotes ranged from $39,184 for a Massey Ferguson tractor to $80,000 for a Caterpillar version. City Street Department officials, the board and mayor will study what is needed and return with the specifications they want.
The board also voted to remove the interim from Brittany Yates’ title and officially name her animal shelter director. They also removed the name of Rebecca Felber as assistant because she accepted a full-time position elsewhere and hired Ashley Morrison Vaughan as the assistant at the shelter. The Board also approved accepting the application of reserve police officer Tim Barber for the CPD.
Pictured Above: A contractor will demolish this house at 518 Bullis St. It’s one of many dilapidated structures Columbia is trying to clean up. | Photo by Charlie Smith
