Comments on: Century Tornado Two Years Later: County, Town Can’t Afford To Clean Up Damaged Sawmill

By: Citizen

Citizen — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 00:01:56 +0000

I am not sure of the actual way of doing this but I have a vision and idea.

I support the county taking it by eminent domain, if that could be done. They have the attorneys would could probably clear the title.

They may be able to reassess the taxes, or perhaps take off the fire fee that is contributing to the back taxes, the code violation fines because if they abate it like it is then that would be attached to the title also. It makes it worthless. And I doubt it would be sold if all those liens are on it.

Back taxes are 90K and mounting. Tax certificates are purchased and more could be.

Can they even get in touch with the owner at all?

I think the town should get their consultant involved and change the Land use on the FLUM to RESIDENTIAL, if they can with the Brownsfields designation. Didn’t they get some grants for doing cleaning up the Brownfield EPA? The problem is it is owned by a company who is inactive, I don’t know, but it looks like some kind of tax evasion scheme, shell company (maybe) to me.

Century already has an entire empty Industrial Park.

Change that area at One Lumber and if the county takes title, then they can sell it to a developer and perhaps put in houses similar to the ones being built in the Historic District.

Then Century has new residents new people on the tax rolls, just make sure you charge an impact fee and those taxes you were learning about so the waste treatment plant can be upgraded.

You don’t want the county coming in and putting a dump or a concrete crushing place and be like Long Leaf or Wedgewood.

No industrial uses near residential.

Change the FLUM and zoning to Residential.

The Dawn of a New Century.

By: M in Bratt

M in Bratt — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 13:04:02 +0000

It’s doubtful if that property is worth the $800000 price tag to clean it up. That would be $22000 per acre. Where is the organic farm the mayor was bringing that would hire 50 people? It will probably work out to the county cleaning it up and winding up with title to the property. Then maybe it will be looked at as a possible industrial park which could be a real asset to the Century economy.

By: Well

Well — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 06:15:33 +0000

Looks like no news could be good news.. If law enforcement, or an official sees a problem with any of these suggestions better step up and ammend the article and put the word out.

They can not give permission, they don’t own it nor can be liable,

If I see a good person helping themselves. I tell you now. I might just offer you a free meal and a glass of water….Thanks and be blessed.

By: IDEA?

IDEA? — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 03:07:30 +0000

Maybe get a bid to remove the metal and trash above ground and leave the concrete which I am sure was a major expense. That would bring much peace of mind if a tornado or severe thunderstorm or worse a Hurricane hits.

Talk about a piece of tin decapitating a person id something is not done.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 01:04:11 +0000

Humm, wonder how this would be handled if it were on Pensacola Beach or out on Perdido Key?

Bet the County Commissioners would be out cutting lawns on weekends to raise the money to have any mess “over there” removed and cleaned up ASAP.
Like the realtors say, “Location-Location-Location”.

100% agree, open the gates to scrappers and turn a blind eye to what is removed to be recycled or re-purposed (a new hipster term) and when they’re done with that get an estimate for what is left behind.

By: Chelleepea

Chelleepea — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 21:30:27 +0000

I asked this last year when they were saying it would take over a million dollars to pay for the clean up. I see by the comments today alot more people see it as I do. Let the locals clean it for the scrap metal.

By: Citizen

Citizen — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 21:05:04 +0000

So what does that mean?

“optimist opened minded and desperate”?

Can a “political speak” interpreter tell me what that’s supposed to mean?

By: ProudArmyParent

ProudArmyParent — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:29:27 +0000

Why not let a salvage company come in and clean it up for the scrap metal?

By: Looks like

Looks like — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 19:17:38 +0000

@retired
Century residents are citizens of Escambia county. There is an agreement with the county to enforce the code here, as the article states.

Property tax for escambia comes to these address also, it’s just an extra layer of government.

If the tin or debris kills some one or damages property..who gets the suit?

Pay it now or pay it later.

By: Just saying

Just saying — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:59:26 +0000

The “owner” apparently is absent.

Neighbors do not call the law if you see some one scrapping.

Law don’t arrest anyone.

This is one time that old school Mayberry needs to step up to the plate, for the first round.