For years, 48 Main Street has been the home of numerous businesses — its green door, large glass windows and open brick facade a signature to the downtown area.
However, it may not be for much longer.
Following considerable discussions Tuesday night, Cadiz City Council members — under recommendation from Mayor Todd King — unanimously approved the seeking of demolition estimates, to be reviewed at a later date.
If those estimates are returned at a reasonable price, City Attorney Allen Wilson affirmed the body could then seek injunction through the Trigg County Circuit Court, and in further time possibly litigate for a lien and eventual foreclosure on the property.
The building and its adjacent lot — gutted by fire more than a decade ago — are owned by David Chestnut, who according to Wilson has failed to meet deadline after deadline to bring the lot up to Cadiz Code Enforcement Board standards.
With the corners of the building sprouting large plants from its cracks and foundation, officials condemned the building in October 2023.
In a letter dated August 21 of this year, the Enforcement Board Chairperson Melissa Brown said Chestnut was in violation of “multiple city ordinances, specifically Unsafe and Unfit Property, as well as Order to Make Safe, Close, or Remove” measures, and that a public hearing on February 21 asked for a remediation plan be completed by May 22.
The letter further states that Chestnut took “no action, nor plan of action,” since.
Sworn in to the council Tuesday night, in place of Brian Futrell, Todd Wallace noted he and his wife, Melissa, looked at the building for purchase when they first returned to the community.
The building, though, is beyond repair — each day slipping closer to collapse — with several councilpersons saying it leaves the city council little choice.
Councilwoman Susie Hendricks also said a recent conversation with Hopkinsville’s Fire Chief Steve Futrell brought about the idea of a structural engineer reviewing the grounds and the next interior wall — another service that will likely be sought before deciding on the pursuit of an injunction.
Multiple local officials have reviewed the property as it is today. Councilwoman Susan Bryant, and Wallace again, assured things are in a bit of disarray.
Wilson also confirmed than an argument made by Chestnut at previous Code Enforcement meetings is the city’s purported inattentiveness to due maintenance.
Public Works Director Craig Oakley relayed where those concerns lie, best as he knew.
Deemed unsafe, the wall has been a popular location for family photography, but it was roped off for last year’s Trigg County Country Ham Festival, and will remain roped off until further notice.
