By Bonnie Culverhouse

Three of four condemned properties in the 500 block of South Street (District B), were tabled for further discussion during Monday’s meeting of Minden City Council.

Those three properties are owned by family members and represented by a family attorney who now lives in Dallas. It is unclear if a family member owns 507 South Street.

Chandra Dozier told the council all the properties had been used as rentals but are now abandoned.

“There are plans to rehabilitate the houses,” Dozier said. “We’ve had contractors there, and if we can put this off until next month, we can have more detailed plans on each property.”

Dozier requested 9 months to rehab the three houses – three months average per house, but work on all three would take place simultaneously.

District A councilman Buddy Myles and District E councilman Andy Pendergrass agreed that 505 South Street, which sports a new roof, would be most easily rehabilitated.

“I can agree with tabling the first one, and proceeding with the other ones,” Myles said. “I’m willing to give you 180 days to either demolish the properties or rehabilitate them.”

Myles said he would like to see a signed contract with a licensed contractor.

• Condemned Property – 505 South Street (District B) – Frank Gardner Estate. District B councilman Charlie Thomas moved to table the item until the June council meeting. Pendergrass seconded the motion and the final vote was 3-1 with Myles voting against the motion and District D councilman Michael Roy absent.

• Condemned Property – 509 South Street (District B) – Chandra Dozier. District B councilman Charlie Thomas moved to table the item. Pendergrass seconded the motion, then voiced his opinions on the condition of the property and the lack of possibility that it can be rehabilitated.

“I don’t feel the same about this property or the next one, as I did the first one,” Pendergrass said. “I am not going to be for an extended timeline. It’s not the yard, necessarily, it’s the blight, and this is a blighted property.”

District C councilwoman Latasha Mitchell and Myles voted against tabling 509 South Street, while Pendergrass and Thomas voted in favor. Mayor Nick Cox broke the tie by voting in favor of tabling the item until June.

“This is the first time in four years, I’ve had to break a tie,” Cox said. “The reason I voted yes is because I want to see any efforts that can possibly be made to rehabilitate.”

• Condemned Property – 511 South Street (District B) – Chandra Dozier (See 509 for identical votes)

• Condemned Property – 507 South Street (District B) – Tobe Oliver Estate. Dozier told the council she expected a family member to attend the council meeting, however, “they were coming from out of town.”

After speaking with Myles, the family member was agreeable to six months to demolish or refurbish the property.