Tuscaloosa Moves To Buy Blighted University Manor Properties

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The city of Tuscaloosa took a major step forward in addressing blight and crime in one of its most dangerous areas Tuesday as the City Council's Finance Committee approved a measure to secure the necessary funding to purchase a dozen plots and 13 derelict buildings in University Manor.

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Law enforcement officials cite University Manor as being a center of crime for decades, not just for Tuscaloosa residents, but proving attractive to the criminal element and drug trade from the surrounding region. Scattered with a range of abandoned and dilapidated buildings, the neighborhood has been the site of numerous murders, shootings and other violent crimes over the years. The Tuscaloosa Police Department, which sends at minimum two patrol units to each call in University Manor, also claims the blighted buildings pose a safety concern for officers, as criminal suspects are able to utilize the unsafe structures during pursuits and foot chases.

During Tuesday's Finance Committee meeting, committee members pushed forward a funding measure in the amount of $350,000 to be voted on by the full Council next week.

Susan Snowden, the city's chief financial officer, said the funding would come from $122,000 left over from the city's Armory Drainage project, $89,799 in federal emergency funds and $137,990 out of the city's general fund reserves.

In total, she said $50,000 would be set aside for the demolition of the properties, with the cost of each property coming out to roughly $25,000 per plot.

While there were disagreements and concerns mentioned about the funding, the push to address crime and blight in University Manor saw support across the Council. The property is owned by the Hayes family, which has already signaled its interest in the current offer from the city.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox also pointed out that purchasing the properties is just a first step, with the ultimate short-term goal of coming back with a master plan for further development and improvements.

"We see this as a potential model to apply this to other hotspots we have in Tuscaloosa, as well," he said. "This is only step one if approved."

Maddox was joined in the presentation by Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley and TPD Deputy Chief of Community Policing Sebo Sanders, who both voiced support for moving forward with buying and demolishing the properties. While employee safety is a top concern for the department, both longtime officers said those living in the area deserve better.

"I think we need to go ahead and push for this because we’re putting people’s lives in danger," Sanders said.

The neighborhood, the mayor said, is also one of the few in Tuscaloosa where sex offenders are allowed to live, further complicating the current issues if not addressed.

"You’re not just putting a band-aid on it, you’re doing something about it," Blankley said as he backed the purchase and demolition of the properties.

An anecdote was then provided as city and law enforcement officials recalled doing a walk-through of University Manor and speaking with a young girl who told them about how she would have to lay on the floor when gunshots rang out near her home. Over the last year, TPD responded to a total of 26 weapons discharge calls in University Manor.

"That struck all of us because we realized we need to do more," Maddox said.

District 7 Councilwoman Sonya McKinstry represents those in University Manor and has been an outspoken proponent of addressing crime in her district.

"The residents in that area should not have to live like that," she said. "That they have to find safety in their own home dwelling."

The funding will be voted on by the full Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 26, while safety and maintenance code infraction issues will be discussed earlier in the day during the council's Public Safety Committee.

Ryan Phillips is the community publisher for Tuscaloosa Patch. A Tuscaloosa native and graduate of the University of Alabama, Phillips is an award-winning journalist, columnist and editor with previous stops at the Starkville Daily News, Weather.com, the Associated Press, the Birmingham Business Journal and the Anniston Star. To contact Phillips with news tips or advertising inquiries, email ryan.phillips@patch.com.