A city alderman said it’s time for some action when it comes to the dilapidated properties along the lower end of downtown Yazoo City.
For many years, a number of structures at the end of Main Street have crumbled to her streets. But the problem continues as no clean-up efforts have begun in otherwise historic area.
Alderman Aubry Brent Jr. said he would like to personally begin working with Russ Carter, building inspector, and Sarah O’Rielly-Evans, city board attorney, to begin the legal process on cleaning up these unkempt properties.
“It is a health hazard,” Brent said. “I understand that some of the property owners have given their properties to the city. That which has been given to us, we need to go ahead and take the initiative to clean up.”
Brent said the lots that are still owned by private individuals need to be placed under the procedure as other dilapidated properties within the city.
“If it is not cleaned up, let them know that we are going to come in there and clean it up,” he added. “It’s terrible on the lower end of town, especially in the back of the buildings near Bridge Street.”
The final block of Main Street has one business that is still operational. The remainder of the buildings are boarded up or literally falling down.
Only a facade of many buildings remain. Behind the skeleton of those crumbling buildings is covered with debris, trash and overgrown vegetation. Trees are even beginning to grow in between the bricked walls, a stark reminder of how long the buildings have remained untouched.
“We need to start some kind of effort,” Brent said. “I know we are short of personnel, but we need to start a positive effort to clean it up.”
