CRESTVIEW — Some downtown buildings may be past their expiration date, according to city officials.
During the city council meeting on Monday, Councilman Doug Faircloth raised discussion on Main Street’s empty buildings.
First, he suggested directing the city’s code inspector to inspect these buildings for safety.
Next, if buildings are not up to code, he said, the city should send a letter to owners asking them to bring the building up to code.
Finally, Faircloth said, if owners take no action, the city should move to raze the empty buildings.
City leaders did not vote on the issue but Councilman Shannon Hayes agreed with Faircloth and stated that the council needs to closely examine Crestview’s growth.
On Monday, the council also:
- Heard from Growth Management Director Teresa Gailliard, who presented the first reading of an alcoholic beverage ordinance revision for the Main Street Commercial District’s special events. Joel McGraw, pastor of Crestview Independent Baptist Church, presented a petition signed by a number of Crestview residents against exemption of the alcohol ordinance in downtown Crestview. There were no other speakers on the issue. The council voted for the proposal to go to a second reading. Councilmen Hayes, JB Whitten and Bill Cox voted in favor; Faircloth and Joe Blocker dissented.
- Addressed the second reading of an ordinance that sets up retirement programs for Crestview’s police and fire departments. The council voted unanimously in favor of this ordinance.
- Discussed the present salary of city council members, whose pay has not increased since 1983, Cox said. Crestview City Council members annually earn $5,040.
In addition:
Mayor David Cadle recognized the Crestview Police Department’s recent accreditation with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Chief Tony Taylor credited the entire department for this achievement that followed two years of work.
Officer Chaise Rawles and Cmdr. Andrew Schneider, the CPD’s accreditation manager, earned commendations from the mayor for their efforts in helping the department achieve accreditation.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Councilman: restore or raze empty buildings