Houses On Condemnation List
Last updated Monday, January 12, 2009 5:59 PM CST in News
By Richard Dean Prudenti
THE MORNING NEWS
BENTONVILLE -- Two unoccupied houses have deteriorated to a point where they now are deemed a public danger.
The Bentonville City Council tonight is scheduled to condemn what city staff members say are dilapidated structures at 205 N.W. Fifth St. and 1608 Bella Vista Road.
"They are in horrific shape, and they are beyond repair," said Lance Blasi, the city's chief building inspector, who recommends razing the houses.
No one's lived in the structures for several years, although the yard has been kept up to city code, Blasi said.
"But recently we've noticed evidence of problems just driving by the houses," Blasi said. "It's basically raining in the home because of lack of shingles. You can imagine what can happen to a home that is exposed to the elements."
Glass is missing from some windows. Posts are holding up sagging ceilings. Interior floors are unstable, and in some cases floors have caved in.
The city can remove the dwellings. Blasi said he hopes the property owners accept their responsibilities to tear down and remove the houses.
Suzann Johnson owns 205 N.W. Fifth St. and Joe Morgan owns 1608 Bella Vista Road, according to Benton County records.
Council members also will consider approving Carroll Electric Cooperative's request to split approximately 10 acres from a 31.88-acre lot -- a step in the process leading up to an expected donation of the wooded tract at 707 S.E. Walton Blvd., east of Rainbow Curve and south of Phillips Park.
"This is just a lot split. When we receive the donation, then I'll celebrate," said David Wright, city park and recreation manager.
At that time, the city would ask for community input on how best to develop the property and expand Phillips Park, Wright said.
Phillips Park has five baseball fields, two multipurpose fields for soccer and football, open space for informal play, a playground and a picnic area.
"Plans are not set in stone but that property (from Carroll Electric) could be used to accommodate additional play fields. But it's the intent, basically, to do a makeover of Phillips Park," said Troy Galloway, community development director.
The city has earmarked $1.5 million in capital improvement bonds for Phillips Park upgrades, which isn't enough for a total makeover, Galloway said.
Bentonville has negotiated with Carroll Electric for about a year on a contract for the park land. A draft contract is nearly complete.
The Carroll Electric board has approved the general concept and management has commented on the best way to facilitate the transaction, said Camille Thompson, city staff attorney.
Meeting Information
Bentonville City Council
City Council members are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. tonight at the Community Development Building, 305 S.W. "A" St., to consider:
• Annexing 32 acres east of Northeast "A" Street near the wastewater treatment plant and along Tiger Boulevard.
• Annexing 1300 and 1308 S.W. Elm Tree Road.
• Accepting a 30-foot by 60-foot steel truss building as a donation from DHL Express. The company is closing its operation at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. The city estimates the building's worth at $30,000.
• The final plat for the Deer Valley Addition on about 148 acres along Northeast "A" Street.
• Appointing Judy Marquess to the Library Advisory Board; reappointing Tadeu Dias, Todd Franke and Elise Kirkpatrick to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
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