ROCKINGHAM — Three houses in one neighborhood of East Rockingham are scheduled for demolition.
The Richmond County Board of Commissioners issued orders last week to demolish and remove properties at 160 Safie Fifth St., 180 Safie Sixth St., and 259 Safie Second St.
The ordinances indicate that all three houses are “unfit for human habitation” under the county code.
Photos in the agenda folder appear to show the houses in total disarray.
The first house listed burned in August 2023, and the complaint process began earlier this year, according to County Planner Tracy Parris.
The second house has not only fire damage, but also a fallen tree through it. According to Parris, the procedure for that house began in October 2023. According to Parris, the third house burnt in March of this year.
Local fire departments use licensed demolition houses for training burns in some situations across the county.
However, according to Parris, that will not be an option in certain circumstances.
“They will be torn down and properly cleared,” Parris told the RO via email on November 22. “Unfortunately, those properties are burned so severely that the fire department would not be able to use (them) with their training exercises.”
OPIOID ALLOCATION
Earlier in the meeting, commissioners agreed to increase money for the Richmond County Jail’s substance abuse program by more than $10,000.
The program is funded through the county’s allocation of various opioid settlements.
During the May meeting, commissioners approved a previous request for $41,215.97. The adjusted figure is now $52,615.97.
Thressa Smith, interim Social care director, stated that the sum is being adjusted to match the costs of behavioral health care, which would be mandated by law.
Commissioner Andy Grooms hinted at what could become another unfunded demand from the state government.
“So luckily, we’ve got 16 years of a settlement to support this before the county then has to,” Grooms told reporters.
PAVING PROJECT
Barnhill Construction was awarded a proposal for prepaving the parking lot at the Health and Human Services Complex on Caroline Street.
According to County Manager Bryan Land, the project will involve revamping the whole parking lot in front and behind the facility that houses the Health Department, Department of Social Services, and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
According to Land, all of the current asphalt will be removed, and the property will be regraded and paved. Concrete driveways will also be replaced.
Barnhill’s low bid was $551,020, more than $123,000 less than Fred Smith Company’s bid.
Land explained that the project will be paid through the county’s Medicaid escrow account. Paving is planned to begin shortly before Christmas and last approximately two weeks. However, Land stated that the project could be delayed depending on the weather.
Land jokingly stated that it was a “retirement present” for outgoing Health Director Cheryl Speight.
“She’s been wanting it for quite some time now, we just haven’t been able to find a way to get it done.”
Commissioners also authorized an extension of the 2025 tax listing period to April 15, as well as a resolution authorizing electronic listing of personal property for tax purposes.