Code enforcement working to clean up the face of Kilgore

This structure at 613 Gladewater St. is one of six houses on the 30-acre property slated for demolition this year, according to Justin Windham, code enforcement officer. The property is also accessible from State Highway 135, Sanders Street, Rogers Street and State Highway 31. In three months on his beat, one Kilgore officer is doing all he can do to clean up the face of Kilgore — one street at a time.

Justin Windham, an eightyear veteran of Longview Police Department, came to Kilgore as code enforcement officer in September.

Since he has been employed with the city, three unsightly condemned structures have been torn down on Parkview Street, Luder Street and on South Street.

Last year the city demolished 10 structures on a budget of $20,000. This year council approved up to $40,000 toward abatement projects.

Windham is charged with identification of unsightly structures and location of their owners. Once located, letters are mailed out which detail repairs needed to bring the structure up to code and start the 30-day timeline given to the property owner to begin repairs or contact the city. At this time the owner must make a decision as to whether the property will be repaired, demolished by the owner or demolished by the city.

If a property owner chooses to allow the city to execute demolition, he is billed for the service, which includes structure removal, lot clearing and an administrative fee. If payment for service is not received the property can be seized for tax re-sale by the city.

According to Windham, a property filed as 613 Gladewater St. has been on the city abatement list for nearly two years. This site is the final resting place for as many as six structures which are headed for demolition.

Other structures up for abatement this year include a condemned house in the Pentecost Addition on Walnut Street and one on the State Highway 31 entry corridor.