JONESBORO, Ark. — The city is taking a big step toward resolving the issue with the aging Citizens Bank Building in downtown Jonesboro.
Late yesterday, the City of Jonesboro served notice of emergency condemnation intentions to the known entities or their legal counsel associated with the former Citizens Bank Building at 100 West Washington, according to City Communications Director Donna Malone.
Thursday morning, the City of Jonesboro served a required 7-day notice of emergency condemnation intentions to all known entities, or their legal counsel, associated with the former Citizens Bank building located at 100 W. Washington.
“After thorough research and multiple meetings with engineering and construction professionals, it has been determined that the most practical, expedient, and safest action to reopen Main Street is to move forward with an emergency condemnation process to remove the structure,” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said.
During the 7-day notice period, the City will initiate environmental reviews and begin creating demolition plans for the abandoned seven-story structure. “Condemnation is a legal process that requires a structure meet specific criteria. We are now confident the conditions satisfy condemnation requirements,” said City Attorney Carol Duncan.
Upon completion of the planning and research steps, the City will arrive at a cost estimate. This estimate would be presented to City Council for funding authorization if building interests have not taken action on a comprehensive and immediate remedy to all known, and potentially yet unknown, safety hazards associated with the building.
On September 25, structural concerns on the east face of the building prompted the City to engage North Delta Engineering and later Nabholz Construction to research expedited options to stabilize the structure in a manner that would allow for vehicular passage. “Multiple options were explored, and no partial solution researched made North Delta Engineering or Nabholz Construction confident that the street could be reopened even after a significant financial investment of public funds,” said City Engineer Craig Light.
As noted in the pre-condemnation letter, all expenses by the City of Jonesboro associated with the research and removal of the structure will be documented, and repayment will be sought by all legal means. The emergency condemnation process allows for the removal of a safety hazard on an expedited timeline. The legal process requires that public notice be given to allow all legal stakeholders of the condemned property an opportunity for private remedy.
A timeline has not yet been established for demolition. An environmental review and a structural removal analysis will provide critical information to guide the project.
“My hope has been that the building could be saved and redeveloped—I hope this spurs immediate action, but the time for that to be an option is quickly closing. Issues surrounding this structure have simply gone on for too long, and we will not stand by while businesses are suffering, and travel is complicated for Jonesboro residents and first responders. No more half measures, it’s time for a resolution,” Copenhaver added.
Both vehicles and pedestrians were rerouted after inspectors raised potential safety concerns about the old building in Late September.
The vacant structure has long been the center of discussion regarding the downtown area. It is currently part of private litigation. City officials had hoped that would shed some light on its future after more than two decades of various redevelopment discussions and ideas.
“For years the city has been hamstrung on our legal authority to force action on this building, said Mayor Harold Copenhaver.
This story will be updated with more
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