TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Jodi Phelps, Assistant City Manager
Dr. Gerald Newton, AICP, Development Services Director
David Steinmetz, Development Services Assistant Director
FROM: Dereke D. Planter Jr., Code Enforcement Supervisor
DATE: August 24, 2026
RE:Title
Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
230 Grady Street - District 2
504 Longview Drive - District 1
509 School Street - District 2
521 Ramsey Street - District 2
5536 Deep Hollow Court - District 1
Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
1,2
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Safe & Secure Community
Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work & Recreate
Executive Summary:
Staff seeks Council approval of demolition ordinances for one commercial structure and three residential structures that have been determined to be dangerous and one blight.
Background:
230 GRADY ST PIN: 0436-26-8185
This vacant residential structure was condemned as dangerous on August 8, 2025, due to fire. The City Inspector cited repair needed: windows and window frames, steps, floor framing and flooring, walls, protective treatments, roofing rafters and framing, posts and railings.
A hearing notice was published in The Fayetteville Observer on April 12, 2026. The hearing was held on April 21, 2026, and the property owner was not present.
Following the hearing, an order was issued on April 23, 2026, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice included information on programs available through the City’s Economic & Community Development Department to help cover repair or demolition expenses.
As of today, there is no record of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and the property has not been brought out of its condemned status.
There have been 19 emergency calls related to the property in the past 24 months. The property had five code violations, no City assessments, and no taxes due.
It holds a demolition score of 92 points on the matrix.
504 LONGVIEW DR PIN: 0439-85-4861
This vacant residential structure was condemned as dangerous on November 25, 2025, due to fire. The City Inspector cited repair needed: windows, doors, floor and flooring, walls, ceilings, porch posts/railings, roof framing, sheathing, covering and roofing materials, electrical wiring, devices, outlets, switches and fixtures, deck structure, floor and handrails.
A hearing notice was published in The Fayetteville Observer on May 10, 2026. The hearing was held on May 18, 2026, and the property owner was not present.
Following the hearing, an order was issued on May 21, 2026, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice included information on programs available through the City’s Economic & Community Development Department to help cover repair or demolition expenses.
As of today, there is no record of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and the property has not been brought out of its condemned status.
There have been three emergency calls related to the property in the past 24 months. The property has one code violations, no City assessments, and $1,833.16 in taxes due.
It holds a demolition score of 80 points on the matrix.
509 SCHOOL ST PIN: 0437-93-5663
This vacant residential structure was condemned as blight on December 18, 2025, due to neglect. The City Inspector cited repair needed: windows and window frames, steps, protective treatments, walls, ceilings, electrical devices, wiring, boxes, switches, outlets and panels, doors.
The initial hearing was scheduled April 23, 2026, with no report of service. A hearing notice was published in The Fayetteville Observer on May 3, 2026. The hearing was held on May 14, 2026, and the property owner was not present.
Following the hearing, an order was issued on May 15, 2026, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice included information on programs available through the City’s Economic & Community Development Department to help cover repair or demolition expenses.
As of today, there is no record of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and the property has not been brought out of its condemned status.
There have been 43 emergency calls reported related to the property in the past 24 months. The property had six code violations, no City assessments, and no outstanding taxes.
It holds a demolition score of 70 points on the matrix.
521 RAMSEY ST PIN: 0437-67-3217
This vacant commercial structure was condemned as dangerous on February 18, 2026, due to neglect. The City Inspector cited repair needed: porch structure and flooring, stairs and steps, railings and columns, flooring, ceilings, ceiling grids and ceiling joists, walls, doors, door hardware and frames, bathroom fixtures and plumbing, water heating appliances, heating equipment, ventilation equipment, electrical wiring, panels, fixtures and devices, window glazing, panes, frames and sashes, roofing material, flashing, trim and fascia, foundation.
A hearing notice was published in The Fayetteville Observer on April 26, 2026. The hearing was held on May 4, 2026, and the property owner was present in-person.
Following the hearing, an order was issued on May 6, 2026, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice included information on programs available through the City’s Economic & Community Development Department to help cover repair or demolition expenses.
As of today, there is no record of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and the property has not been brought out of its condemned status.
There have been 256 emergency calls related to disturbances, EMS, domestic, suspicious person, traffic stops, trespassing, overdoses, etc. in the past 24 months. The property had 10 code violations, no City assessments, and $14,878.46 in taxes due.
It holds a demolition score of 69 points on the matrix.
5536 DEEP HOLLOW CT PIN: 0530-75-0707
This residential structure was condemned as dangerous on October 24, 2025, due to neglect. The City Inspector cited repair needed: windows and window frames, steps, protective treatments, walls, ceilings, electrical devices, wiring, boxes, switches, outlets and panels, doors.
The initial hearing was scheduled April 17, 2026, with no report of service. A hearing notice was published in The Fayetteville Observer on May 3, 2026. The hearing was held on May 14, 2026, and the property owner was not present.
Following the hearing, an order was issued on May 15, 2026, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice included information on programs available through the City’s Economic & Community Development Department to help cover repair or demolition expenses.
As of today, there is no record of enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and the property has not been brought out of its condemned status.
There have been 14 emergency calls related to the property in the past 24 months. The property had two code violations, $310.91 in City assessments, and no taxes due.
It holds a demolition score of 68 points on the matrix.
Issues/Analysis:
These substandard properties contribute significantly to neighborhood blight and public nuisance, directly undermining the City’s Strategic Operating Plan-specifically Goal 1, which prioritizes community safety and neighborhood quality.
Budget Impact:
The demolition costs for these structures will be established through a competitive bidding process conducted after the adoption of the demolition ordinance. Please note that additional, yet-to-be-determined expenses for asbestos testing and abatement may also be required.
Options:
Adopt the ordinance and demolish the structures.
Abstain from any action and allow the structures to remain.
Defer any actions for a later date.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Staff strongly recommends that Council adopt the ordinances authorizing demolition of these structures. We will continue to engage with the property owners up to the scheduled demolition date, offering opportunities for voluntary compliance, self-demolition, or grant-supported abatement through the Community Development Department.
Should a property come into compliance voluntarily, staff will present a demolition rescission ordinance to Council to formally remove the order from the property deed.
Prompt approval of the demolition ordinances is essential, as it enhances our leverage with property owners and is the only available mechanism to stay or suspend demolition proceedings once an order has been adopted.
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Attachments:
Aerial Maps, Violation Photos, Proposed Ordinances, Scoring Matrix and PowerPoint Presentation