Council considers options for new firehouse, historic church

Pathway Baptist in dire need of repairs

By Robert Blankenship The Leeds News

LEEDS — The status of a future building and an historic one was among the topic of discussions at the Leeds City Council meeting on Monday night.

A vacant building that used to serve as a church to the area, most recently Pathway Baptist Church, is being considered for possible demolition due to the unsafe conditions the building presents. A letter had already been sent to the owners of the property, according to Leeds Mayor Eric Patterson, requesting that repairs be made.

“The roof is very bad. It would look great if it were fixed, but as it stands now, we know it is unsafe and I feel we have the duty to do something about it,” Patterson said.

Patterson also said the city has received some complaints about unauthorized people entering the building. Police Chief Ted Cook supported that saying his department has found people in the church on several occasions.

Councilman Kenneth Washington said he wanted to give the property owners another chance to make the needed repairs to the property.

Councilman Johnny Kile, whose district the church sits within, said he had spoke to the owners.

“The owners had said they would like to keep the church due to its historical value. I had hoped that they would begin making preparations to make the repairs,” Kile said.

Kile said he would speak with the property owners again about the situation.

The council was presented with several options in dealing with the property. Among those was for the city to declare the property unsafe and to order the repairs. The city could then pay for the repairs and place a lien on the property.

The council opted to send the property owners another letter requesting that a plan for the repairs be provided to the city. But, the council also instructed the city attorney to draw up the required paper work for declaring the property unsafe.

“We’ll give them another chance, but not very long because it s bad in there,” Patterson said.

Another property discussed pertained to the future site of a third fire station. A property near the Hwy. 119 and Zeigler Road intersection that was being looked at as a possible candidate for the station has been deemed unsuitable due to its ability to perk. Officials had looked at that property initially because it is already owned by the city.

Now, the city begins searching for another site for the fire station.

Kile suggested that property near the new high school be considered. However, others on the council felt that was too far from they valley area, which is where ISO ratings officials said a department was most needed.

Another option was presented regarding the possible purchase of property near Hwy. 119, which was one of the ISO-recommended sites for a new fire station. Patterson said a site was offered to the city for $25,000.

Patterson said the city did need to move quickly on the matter as some residents of Leeds are forced to pay higher insurance premiums due to poor ISO ratings.

The council tabled the discussion with the intention of gathering more information and holding a word session on the matter on February 15 at 5 p.m.

Other items discussed by the council included:

• approved for an environment assessment to be conducted on the Armory building.

The council is looking at options of what to do with the old structure, including possible sell or demolition;

• Patterson announced that the city would be helping Leeds High School in its efforts to implement a eco-environment;

• Leeds Librarian Mondretta Williams announced that the library would be participating in Alabama Big Read program;

• approved a resolution changing the costs for police reports from $5 to $10;

• approved to enter into a five-year contract to provide data network support to the courts department at the old city hall building. The courts budget will pay $1,350 for equipment costs and a monthly fee of $450;

• discussed the purchase of a $1,800 advertisement in the Alabama Business Journal. The matter will be handed over to the city’s Commercial Development Authority;

• tabled a discussion on board appointments;

• approved the sell of a 25-foot wide property, which has long been used as a driveway at a residence, for $2,500;

• Councilwoman Susan Carswell requested a four-way stop be established at Third Avenue and Ashville Court. The city engineer will look into the matter; and

• Kile said he has been working with a cemetery board in an effort to take a closer look at city cemeteries.

 

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