The city of Orange will be demolishing 12 dilapidated houses with federal Community Development Block Grant money. Tuesday, the City Council held a public hearing on the demolitions and the Historic Preservation Commission approved the list.
City Grants Administrator Sandra Wilson said comments on the properties will be accepted until March 28.
Seven of the properties are in the 100-year flood plain and all are older than 45 years. Three are on Main Avenue and three are in the Cove area. Five are in the Brownwood neighborhood. One in the Old Orange Historic District was heavily damaged by fire.
The buildings are are 312 Rhode Island Street, 601 North Street, 603 North Street, 605 North Street, 1201 W. Orange Avenue, 1311 DuPont Drive, 1408 Main Avenue, 1503 Main Avenue, 1505 Main Avenue, 1601 S. Georgia Street, 2307 Sixth Street and 4415 Brown Avenue.
During the public comments part of the meeting, James Stephenson on Rosewood Drive said his property has been flooding and from property behind him. He said he is 83 years old, has lived in his home for 34 years and the flooding started recently.
He said his backyard is becoming waterlogged and he can’t mow. He’s seen water plants usually seen in ditches growing where water is pooling in his yard.
During the business part of the meeting, the council approved a franchise contract with Acadiana Waste Services for commercial closed container garbage collection.
Also, the council approved permission for the Orange County Mosquito Control plane to fly low in the city to disperse insecticide.
City Economic Development Director Jay Trahan told the council the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau is buying an ad in the Astros program this year. He said the deal allows the city to be able to give away Astro tickets.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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