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Mississippi Legislators passed a local and private bill allowing Gulfport greater powers to enforce the cleanup of derelict and abandoned properties in Katrina impacted areas. The local
and private bill was brought to the Senate by Senator Billy Hewes, citing
the City’s need to condemn and demolish commercial structures that were impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Under state law, municipalities are limited to $20,000 in expenses that may be assessed for lot cleanup. Large commercial and multi-family structures often cost substantially more than $20,000, limiting a city’s ability to see the condemnation through. The resolution, supported by Gulfport Main Street Association and adopted by Gulfport City Council, allows the City to spend up ten percent more than the appraised land value of a storm-damaged property to demolish a structure. The City recaptures these expenses by placing a lien on the property. Only commercial and multi-family structures are addressed by this legislation which shall be in effect until September, 2011. “There are too many buildings that have gone untouched since the storm,” said Gulfport City Councilwoman Libby Milner Roland. “This problem is concentrated south of the railroad tracks, where the storm surge washed through many properties, rendering them unsalvageable, but this is an issue throughout the City.” “This legislation not only protects the firemen and police officers who are otherwise at risk when protecting these buildings, but it protects the neighbors of these properties who have reopened their businesses and are being negatively impacted by surrounding buildings,” said Gulfport Fire Chief Pat Sullivan. The City will be evaluating structures to determine which fall subject under this new law. The City’s code enforcement department accepts and acts on complaints from citizens regarding properties that endanger or negatively impact their own. To report a property to the code enforcement department, please call (228)868-5715.
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