The Opelousas City Council on Aug. 12 granted authority to advertise public hearings for multiple properties recommended for condemnation and demolition and approved immediate demolition of one burned structure after public testimony about neighborhood blight.

Authority to advertise: Council authorized the mayor and staff to advertise a public hearing for Sept. 9, 2025 to consider condemnation and demolition of the following properties (addresses per agenda): 105 South Oak Street (abandoned wooden structure), 1106 Hayward Street (abandoned mobile home), 111 East Coleman Street (abandoned mobile home), 1217 Bullard Street (abandoned mobile home), 1613 Park Avenue (abandoned wooden structure; agenda showed 1631 in error), and 1318 Hayward Street (abandoned mobile home). The motion to grant authority to advertise passed by roll call 6–0.

Approved demolition: At a separate public hearing the council voted 6–0 to demolish a burned wooden structure at 431 Common Street after no speakers opposed that specific action.

Resident requests and added items: Council heard added items and public comments about neglected and storm‑damaged properties at 1614 Parkview Drive, 709 Hiram Street and 435 West Landry Street. Complainants described tall grass, rodents, broken glass, open rooflines and other health and safety concerns. Staff told speakers the homes would be referred to code enforcement/ planning for follow-up; one speaker was told the city would include the property on an upcoming demolition schedule for that neighborhood.

Why it matters: Council action moves properties through the formal condemnation process and schedules public hearings that give owners notice and an opportunity to respond. Residents said lengthy delays have allowed unsafe conditions to persist; the council used the meeting to add items and request more focused enforcement in those neighborhoods.

Ending: The council instructed staff to proceed with advertising the listed condemnation hearings and to continue code enforcement outreach on the added items; a demolition of the burned structure at 431 Common Street was approved and will be scheduled.