City approves agreement to demolish condemned downtown building

The Russellville City Council approved an agreement with the owner of a condemned downtown building declared unsafe to have the building demolished and new one constructed in its place.

The council approved the agreement at its July 2nd meeting with Chad Warhurst, owner of the property at 104 South Jackson Avenue, Edward B. Carroll and EcoBuilt Land Development, Inc.

The agreement calls for Carroll and his company, EcoBuilt Land Development, to demolish the building that previously housed Faith Mission Outreach.

Agreement terms require EcoBuilt to “demolish the structure in such a manner as to not endanger the public or adjoining structures,” while salvaging as much of the materials for possible reuse in constructing a replacement building.

EcoBuilt has 12 months to complete the demolition process and remove all debris from the location. The demolition plan must comply with “plans and requirements as set out by a licensed structural engineer of builder’s choosing.”

Once demolition and debris removal is completed, EcoBuilt and Carroll must complete construction of a replacement building on the property within 24 months.

The agreement also requires that the buildingmust conform to all city ordinances. Additionally, the builder must “consult with and receive suggestions from the City regarding the design of and materials used in the new construction,” the agreement states.

The property is located in the City of Russellville’s historic downtown district, and both the builder and the City of Russellville must provide positive information to the public and news media regarding their attempts to “preserve and emphasize, as much as possible, the history and conversation of downtown Russellville.”

If Warhurst or the builders default on the agreement in the demolition or construction process, the city may “at its discretion, (a) assume ownership of said realty, and dispose of same as it deems best or (b) demolish said structure at builder’s expense, or (c) take such other action it deems proper and necessary under the circumstances,” terms of the agreement dictate.

In other agenda items at its July 2nd meeting, the council:

—approved an ordinance to annex property at 477 Highway 44.

—approved a resolution accepting the sealed bid from Stivers CDJR for the purchase of a 2027 Dodge Durango R/T.

—approved the promotion of Shawn Hines, Jr., to Lieutenant in the Russsellville Fire Department.

—approved the hiring of David Hamm as Heavy Equipment Driver/Operator in the Russellville Street Department.

—authorized the abatement of nuisance at multiple properties, including 705 Hawkins Circle, 608 Burgess, 406 Hall Avenue, 177 Highsmith Court and a parcel of property on White Street.

—heard a request from Russellville resident Richard Ramos, who owns a home at 709 Franklin St. NE, for the city to address storm drainage issues in a runoff ditch owned by the City.

Ramos told the council the drain pipes for the surface water are stopped up, which results in severe flooding under his floor and sometimes into his house.

“I have seen the water completely cover Franklin Street during a heavy rain because the storm drain pipes no longer carry water,” Ramos said.