Narrow Street property escapes wrecking ball

The Thibodaux City Council will allow a Thibodaux property owner 90 days to improve his derelict structure on Narrow Street before the city seeks to condemn it.

Alvin Sargent of Seguin, Texas, contested the condemnation of his family’s property, which once belonged to his deceased mother, Beatrice Waller-Sargent. Sargent is her only heir other than her grandchildren.

Before any building permits can be issued to renovate the property, Sargent has to show proof that he owns it. He is going through succession to show he owns the property.

“This house is very sentimental to me and I wouldn’t want anything to happen to it,” Sargent told the council at last Tuesday’s meeting.

Condemnation became an issue when City Inspector Errol Price examined the Narrow Street property in early October. He ruled that it created a danger to surrounding residents and recommended that the city remove the structure immediately.

The city set a condemnation hearing Dec. 16. The Texas resident was unable to attend, but responded by mail instead.

In a letter written on Dec. 2, Sargent asked for more time.

Although he has not met with a contractor to see how much work is needed to salvage the property, Sargent asked the council for a 30- to 40-day window to present evidence that the structure could be improved.

“The interior of the house is still in good shape, but there are some areas on the exterior that need mending,” he told council members.

The council agreed to the request and withheld ruling for an extended period of 90 days.

“The board is giving Mr. Sargent 30 days to file all the necessary paperwork to become the sole owner of the property and 60 days to get all the required permits to restore the home,” said Council Chairman Chad Mire.

Sargent will appear before the city council at its May 9 meeting, at which time he will be required to present evidence that he has attempted to renovate the property.

“Should Mr. Sargent plan to demolish or remove the structure, he should be prepared to state that at the hearing and tell when the structure will be removed,” City Attorney Germaine Jackson said. “On the other hand, if he plans to repair the structure, he should be prepared to present a timeline detailing those plans.”

If the council rules that the property needs to be condemned, Sargent will be ordered to remove the building at his own expense. Jackson said the decision to condemn the property will be final in May unless it is appealed to the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office within five days.