On Wednesday morning, city crews were out cleaning up a vacant lot on Madison Street. The property, according to City Building and Safety Officer Wes Woodhall has been a big problem for the city for the past several years. He told aldermen at the Tuesday night Committee of the Whole meeting that the city has done this same kind of work at least three or four times, generally at a cost to the city of about $6,000 each time.

Woodhall proposed that the city should purchase the property in a tax auction, for an amount of $850. He said the city could then post the site and issues fines to the person who is currently using the property as a personal dump.

Woodhall also spoke to the council about purchasing the old Oasis building at the corner of Kickapoo and Pulaski Street. He says the interior of the building is completely destroyed, there have been burglaries with copper wire being stripped from the interior, and other acts of vandalism.

He said that original thoughts that the building could be restored are very optimistic. He believes it will cost a huge about of money to make the building usable again and recommended that it be purchased and slated for demolition.

Mayor Welch agreed and added that there could be grant money available for the demolition through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, providing the city turn the property into green space.

Photos by Nila Smith