Community Development Director Jeff Richardson presented the most recent list of overgrown properties and derelict structures to the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen during its regular meeting Wednesday.

Richardson listed a total of 16 properties requiring either cleanup, demolition or both, with 10 officially listed as not complied. Five of the 16 properties were not in compliance, but had officially requested extensions, while one property was in compliance. 

City ordinance requires property owners to keep their properties cut and clear of debris and their homes repaired. A violation results in a letter from the city ordering the property owner to clean the property or demolish the dilapidated home.  

Under city ordinance and state law, the city can go in and cut and clean property or hire a private contractor to clean property determined to be a threat to public health and safety and bill the property owner for the work.  

If the property owner does not pay, the city places a lien on the property that is included in the property’s price when and if it is sold.

The most recent list presented during Wednesday’s meeting included: 2307 Clay St., demolition, not complied; 1104 Jefferson St., demolition, not complied; 1773 Martin Luther King Blvd., property cleanup, requesting 60-day extension with 30-day progress report due to change in ownership; 109 Locust St., demolition, not complied; 1114 Mundy St., property cleanup, not complied; 503 Peale St., requesting two-week extension; 521 Peale St., requesting two-week extension; 1806 Poplar St., property cleanup, not complied; 604 Portland St., demolition, requesting two-week extension; 1203 Price St., demolition, not complied; 903 Wabash Ave., demolition, not complied; 909 Wabash Ave. requesting 30-day extension; 111 Churchill Dr., property cleanup and demolition, not complied; 902 National St., property cleanup and demolition, not complied (partially completed); 113 Nicholas St., property cleanup and demolition, not complied; 918 Polk St., complied. 

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved the list, including all requested extensions.