By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The city of Alabaster may move forward with tearing down two dilapidated and abandoned houses if the City Council votes in favor of the demolitions during an upcoming meeting.

During its April 25 meeting, the City Council voted to set public hearings for May 9 on demolishing houses at 213 Meadowlark Drive and at 74 Reese Drive.

The public hearings will be held during the council’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. at Alabaster City Hall. The council likely will vote on the matter during the same meeting.

The Alabaster Housing Abatement Board previously voted to recommend the two houses be demolished, which passed the final decision along to the City Council. If the council votes to demolish the homes, the city will cover the price of tearing the structures down, and will attach the cost as liens against the properties.

The house at 74 Reese Drive is off Shelby County 11, and has been abandoned for several years, said Ward 1 Councilwoman Sophie Martin.

Martin said several local residents have logged complaints about the property, and often mow the grass at the property.

The house on Meadowlark Drive is off Butler Road in southern Alabaster, and was heavily damaged by fire last summer, said Alabaster City Manager George Henry.

The home has been abandoned since the fire happened more than nine months ago, and Henry said residents in the neighborhood are asking for action to be taken on the property.

The city has attempted to contact both property owners multiple times with requests to bring the homes in compliance with the city code, Henry said.

“By the time it gets to (the council), all other actions have been taken,” Henry said.