Unable to contact property owner, Arkadelphia City Board condemns Clinton Street strip for bypass

By JOE MAY | The Southern Standard

The Arkadelphia City Board of Directors, meeting in regular session Tuesday evening, Dec. 17, 2024, voted to condemn a 10-foot strip of property for a sewer line.

City Manager Gary Brinkley noted that out of nearly 300 property easements needed for the Arkadelphia Bypass project, all but two were easily obtained. One of those, he said, is 1016 Clinton St., a property listed as being owned by Jacqueline Hollimon.

Brinkley said an easement to run a sewer line across the back of the property is needed, but efforts to contact the owner have failed. He said city employees have knocked on the door and letters have been sent, but no one has been able to actually speak to the owner as of yet.

Brinkley said because work crews are in the area now, it would behoove the city to condemn the area needed for the easement so as not to cost the city money by tying up the crews.

Director Taylor Chaney expressed his lack of desire to condemn property and asked if a certified letter had been sent. Brinkley said he was unsure, but attempts to contact the owner had been made. After some discussion, the board voted to pass a motion to condemn the property and place the matter on an emergency clause.

Brinkley said the $1,611 appraisal value will be given to the local court system, and City Attorney Ed McCorkle will file a suit to begin the condemnation process.

Chaney said he felt the condemnation should have happened sooner so that the ordinance could have been spread over three meetings. “This could have been foreseen,” Chaney noted.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the city’s annual property insurance from Knight Insurance for $175,778.

• Heard Assistant Mayor Roland Gosey say the city has received a Trendsetters Award from Arkansas Business for its Black History Hall of Fame.

• Heard Director Keith Crews say that demolition at the former Central Primary School property is exacerbating damage to Haddock Street, which is constructed of concrete.