Published Thursday, August 26, 2010
Newnan may demolish two SummerGrove townhouses
The Newnan Times-Herald
Residents of the Eastlake section in SummerGrove who have put up with an eyesore in their neighborhood since early 2008 may finally have something to celebrate.
Two unfinished, adjoining townhomes at 63 and 67 Portico Place are scheduled to be demolished by Newnan in 30 days.
The Newnan City Council held a public hearing at Tuesday evening's meeting on the issue.
Code Enforcement Officer Matt Camp informed council he sent notification to Quantum Servicing -- the mortgage company they were led to believe has ownership of the properties -- and followed up twice telling Quantum officials they needed to come up with a construction schedule by Tuesday's meeting if they planned to bring the properties up to code.
As of Tuesday, according to Camp, he had not received that information or any correspondence from the company.
City Attorney Brad Sears said Legacy Communities was last on record as being the title holder. A representative from Legacy told Sears they're being foreclosed against. Sears was referred to the FDIC, who said Quantum is in charge of the properties.
Neither company will take ownership.
"At this point, we don't know who's the owner," said Sears.
Sears initially recommended the city refrain from tearing the townhomes down because "someone will end up with the property" eventually. "This is a problem going on across Georgia," he said.
In the meantime, the city has secured the properties from unforced entry and Sears suggested they maintain the properties.
SummerGrove Homeowner Association representative Jim Graser said his only concern with the properties are the overgrowth of weeds that haven't been maintained.
It was Mayor Keith Brady who recommended council allocate the necessary funds to proceed with demolition if possible.
Sears added council should wait 30 days to give the rightful property owner an opportunity to come forward and take action if they so choose.
In order for council to demolish the structure, the cost to repair them must exceed half of the properties' assessed value.
Camp told council at the meeting it is his opinion the cost to repair and finish the townhomes would exceed 50 percent.
