Homewood schedules public hearing after years-long nuisance case at 1625 26th Avenue South

The City of Homewood scheduled a public hearing for Jan. 26 to consider nuisance abatement and possible condemnation of a property at 1625 26th Avenue South.

City staff told the pre-council meeting that the property has been the subject of nuisance-abatement efforts since 2023 and that inspectors have deemed the structure unsafe. Staff said they have been unable to reach the owner, identified in meeting remarks as Adrienne Lee, and that prior attempts to secure or tarp the building were insufficient.

Staff said the city’s role would be to abate the unsafe structure, placing a lien against the property to recover abatement costs, and that the city would not take ownership. A councilor raised that a private lien by Arrington Jr. also exists against the property and asked how the city’s lien would interact with that private claim; staff responded that property buyers typically resolve liens at closing but deferred detailed legal questions to separate counsel.

The city said it would proceed under its authority to address unsafe structures and will present the matter for a public hearing on Jan. 26.

The pre-council item did not include a formal vote; the public hearing will be the next opportunity for public comment and for council action.