A threat to condemn two of Bay St. Louis’ most prominent eyesores may bear results, the city council learned recently, but nobody seems to be holding their breath.
The Louisiana-based owner of the old Knights of Columbus building at 315 Main St. had a crew in town this week to work on the building, which has stood neglected for several years, evoking frustration by city officials and Old Town residents as well.
The old hall is owned by Mark Madary, a former St. Bernard Parish, La. councilman who also ran unsuccessfully for the Louisiana Legislature.
And at the corner of Beach Boulevard and Ulman Avenue, the hulking Hotel Reed may be disappearing, Mayor Les Fillingame said. No timeframe on that possibility was announced, but Fillingame asked the council to hold off on enforcement action against the building’s owner.
Neighbors have complained for years about the two buildings, particularly Hotel Reed, a former hotel that was later operated as a nursing home. Neighborhood residents have repeatedly complained about vagrants staying in the building, along with bats, rats, and other vermin. The structure remains vacant and in a shambles, and the city has even been forced to insist that the grounds be mowed.
On one occasion, police were called in when vagrants reportedly looted the building and scattered medical and billing records from former patients around the neighborhood.
When the city’s new zoning code was passed, the property was rezoned to accommodate a boutique hotel. However, nothing has been done by the owner, Gulfport and Stone County businessman Ted Cain.
At a city council workshop on March 21, Ward 2 Councilwoman Wendy McDonald – whose ward includes both buildings – again raised the issue of the derelict properties. McDonald said if the owners don’t act, she is ready to move on condemnation proceedings and have both buildings demolished.
She added that Hotel Reed also stands to lose its current zoning status, if inactivity persists on the property.
“He needs to move on,” McDonald said of Cain. “Eventually, we may lose our enthusiasm for that property to be commercial.”
But when the council met again the next night, Fillingame said he had discussed the issue with Cain, who promised to have the building torn down soon. The owner “is still interested in putting together a project there,” Fillingame said. “He is ready to demolish it. I don’t think we need to pursue any enforcement action there.”
Council members agreed not to take further steps at present on the Hotel Reed case. As for the K of C building, Tommy Kidd, who handles litter enforcement for both the city and Hancock County, told the council that the building’s owner was obtaining a permit to renovate the property.
“He’s ready to get started,” Kidd said.
