TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland, 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: October 27, 2025
RE:Title
Uninhabitable Structures: Demolition Recommendations
1912 Murchison Road - District 4
2005 Murchison Road - District 4
Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
4
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal 1: Safe & Secure Community
Goal 4: Desirable Place to Live, Work & Recreate
Executive Summary:
Staff requests Council approval of demolition ordinances for two commercial buildings identified as blighted.
Background:
1912 MURCHISON RD PIN: 0428-94-1938
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC. This vacant commercial structure was inspected and condemned as blighted on April 14, 2025, due to ongoing neglect. The structure’s doors and windows are covered with boards. The structure requires repairs to walls, doors and frames, window panes and glazing, roofing material, flashing, trim, and fascia. A hearing notice was sent first-class mail, certified mail, posted on the building and published in June 29, 2025 edition of The Fayetteville Observer newspaper. The hearing was held on July 10, 2025, but the property owner failed to attend. An order was issued on July 11, 2025, directing the owner to either repair or demolish the structure within 60 days. The notice also included information about the City’s Economic & Community Development Department and available programs to assist with repair or demolition costs. To date, there has been no enrollment in the Blight Removal Program, and no repairs have been made. The property remains in its condemned state. Over the past 24 months, there have been 4 emergency calls related to the property. It has accumulated 8 code violations, $299.25 in City assessments, and $1,701.38 in outstanding taxes.
The building scored a 51.5 on the demolition matrix.
2005 MURCHISON RD PIN: 0428-85-8063
The City Inspector is obligated to address conditions that violate the Dwellings and Buildings Minimum Standards Code of Fayetteville, NC This vacant commercial structure was condemned as blighted on May 1, 2025, due to neglect. The structure’s doors and windows are covered with boards. The City Inspector cited similar repair needs: walls, doors and frames, windowpanes and glazing, roofing material, flashing, trim, and fascia. A hearing notice was sent first-class mail, certified mail, posted on the building and published in July 6, 2025 edition of The Fayetteville Observer newspaper. The hearing was held on July 24, 2025, and the property owner was present.
Following the hearing, an order was issued on July 29, 2025, 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 no emergency calls related to the property in the past 24 months. The property has 3 code violations, no City assessments, and $1,105.33 in outstanding taxes. The building scored a 50.0 on the demolition 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 Economic Community Development.
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