Council learns WCC-Demopolis awarded $3.6 million for armory upgrade; apartments causing problems
Most of the Demopolis City Council meeting Thursday involved addressing the problems of two apartment complexes in the city that are dilapidated, and their residents are causing problems in the neighborhoods.
The highlight of the meeting, however, came at the end. Chuck Smith, former member of the Alabama Community College Board of Directors, announced the ACC Board had approved $3.6 million for the renovation and upgrade of the old National Guard Armory on U.S. Hwy. 43 S. as part of the Wallace Community College Demopolis Campus.
The new campus “will be a tremendous asset to the community, building something I hope will support our local industry,” said Smith.
He said the project had been his dream for about 20 years, but it wasn’t until the Demopolis Higher Education Center “found a partner in Wallace Community College” that the dream became a reality.
Dr. James Mitchell, president of WCC based in Selma, told the Council, “We plan to make this the largest campus in West Alabama.” He “officially” thanked the Council for its support, saying the project wouldn’t have been possible without community backing.
Blaine Hathcock, director of the Demopolis campus, said the efforts to renovate the armory had been a long process. It will benefit not only Demopolis but the surrounding area, he said. Already the campus has 350 students from several counties contiguous to Marengo.
Work on the site renovation should begin within 30 days, and the contractor has 180 days to complete construction.
Mike Jones and Tony Rice both spoke to the Council about apartment buildings whose residents were making their neighborhoods unsafe.
Jones said his mother lives near dilapidated apartments on South Walnut behind The Whit Clinic Fitz-Gerald and Fyzical. The apartments are run down, with windows missing and doors left open for anyone enter. People who congregate there have been breaking into cars, knocking on doors asking for handouts, leaving trash strewn around and playing loud music.
“It’s not a safe place,” he said. “I don’t see how those apartments can be up to code.”
Jones said the Demopolis police respond immediately to any calls, but by the time they arrive, it’s too late for any action.
Rice talked about similar problems with apartments on Barnes Street south of Pettus. People using the apartments ignore traffic signs and harass residents of the neighborhood.
Mayor Woody Collins said the city is well aware of the problems. “I know we’re probably going to get involved with the owners,” he said.
The city has no ordinance requiring surveillance cameras or lighting at apartment complexes, and he has presented such an ordinance for Council members to consider.
Shelley Wood spoke to the Council about the loud cars and trucks traveling Strawberry Street and disturbing the neighborhood from 5 a.m. to midnight and beyond. While the DPD has managed to cite several drivers for breaking the noise ordinance, the problem remains.
Vehicles with loud mufflers continue to be a nuisance throughout the city, said Collins, and efforts will continue to curb the noise.
Wood also commented on a resident in the area parking the cab of his 18-wheeler in the driveway. City ordinances state that no vehicle with more than six wheels may be parked in the residential area.
Collins told the Council that Tri-States, the firm helping Demopolis manage its American Rescue Plan funds, has determined the emergency HVAC purchase for City Hall can be paid for with ARP money.
The Council approved a letter required to access the funds and move $13,856.99 from ARP money to the city’s general fund to pay for the unit.