Parks said the violation of the city code is a misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a $500 fine. Like Junction City, Perryville places a lien on properties that the city has to mow.
Parks said the city does have authority to condemn properties.
"I just wish they'd clean that stuff up," Parks said. "It would make everybody's life easier."
Listing of properties
Parks offered a tour around the city to see the properties they are currently battling. Here's a roundup:
204 W. Third St.
Parks said the property is the worst of the worst in the city limits. The yard is overgrown, the back part of the house has gaping holes, and trees and bushes block the front of the house. The house is in general disrepair. The backyard is overgrown and a good nesting ground for rodents and snakes. A downed tree also is in the backyard.
Parks said someone has offered to remove the tree and clean up the yard for a low price. The city is considering the offer and working out the details. The property would be a good candidate for razing.
308 W. Third St.
The property has an abandoned trailer that needs to be removed.
312 W. Third St.
The property has a vacant house that needs general upkeep.
302 S. Jackson St.
The property is a vacant lot that is overgrown with tall grass and weeds. There also is a tree that is about to fall.
223 Liddell Ave.
The property is up for a master commissioner's sale. The property has been mowed once before but not recently. Tall grass and weeds blight the property.
219 E. Second St.
This highly visible downtown property has gaping holes in the roof and in the back of the house, providing a home for pigeons. The grass is kept in good shape, but the building suffers from general neglect.
Parks said the property owner once had aspirations of fixing it up, but no action has been taken. The property lies in a high traffic area.
105 N. Bragg St.
The property suffers from a much needed paint or siding job. The roof also is in bad shape. Exterior work is badly needed.
115 N. Bragg St.
Parks has had trouble with the property in the past. He has spoken with the property owners about removing abandoned vehicles, but nothing has been done so far.
708 Anderson St.
The property is in poor condition. The yard by the house is overgrown. There are several old buildings in general disrepair. Ragged tarps cover the entrance to one of the old buildings. The roof and siding are a problem for some of the buildings. Piles of brush and trees need to be removed.
308 W. First St.
The yard is overgrown, piles of brush litter the yard and the house needs exterior paint or siding work. Weeds and grass cover the sidewalk.
107 S. Bragg St.
This is possibly the worst house for harboring pigeons in Perryville. Pigeon excrement cakes the porch and roof beams, and a flock of pigeons can be seen.
The property is one that the U.S. Department of Agriculture addressed when it presented its findings about the pigeon problem to the Perryville City Council. To prevent pigeons from roosting on the porch, the USDA suggested covering the open area with netting to block the birds.
Bees also have invaded the property. Serious exterior work needs to be done to the highly visible downtown property.
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