Future of Dilapidated Tuscaloosa Apartment Buildings Hinges on Owner Improvements

The future of a number of dilapidated apartments on Mimosa Park Road is now dependent on the owners following through on an agreement with the City of Tuscaloosa to dramatically improve them.

As the Thread previously reported, votes to condemn buildings 6, 7, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 28, 31, and 33 at the Legacy at Country Club Apartments had twice been tabled and were again put off at Tuesday's council meeting, subject to owners following through on specific agreements with the city.

A memorandum of understanding drafted by attorneys for the landlord and the city said they would pay all outstanding bills, including all delinquent taxes and all outstanding City of Tuscaloosa water and sewer charges and secure the entire property, including all buildings, against intrusion.

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(Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)

The apartments have more than 600 combined housing code violations, the city's Chief Property Maintenance Inspector Virgil Williams said earlier this month, but things are getting better.

"Since August 4th, the owners have begun to make progress, demoing the burned units, installing security fencing, and have boarded up some of the open units," Williams told the council on Tuesday.

City Attorney Scott Holmes told the council there is general agreement between his office and the complex's Nashville developers.

"They are going to concede the fact that what was presented to y'all on July 21st of 2026 supported the findings that a public nuisance existed and the condemnation was appropriate," he stated during the proceedings.

Holmes added that if the property owners do not follow through with the three agreements, condemnation can be brought back to the council.

The owners have agreed to provide the city with proof of financing to complete the project within 90 days, secure the property within 60 days, repair amenities, provide security, maintain a general contractor, and issue the city with monthly progress reports.

District 2 council member Raevan Howard is backing the agreement.

"I do want us to do what's best for the City of Tuscaloosa and affordable housing, and the lack thereof is also a problem," she pointed out. "So, hopefully we can fix two problems by withdrawing this from the agenda and with faith in the property owner fixing this problem."

The council voted unanimously to withdraw the condemnation from the agenda, and Mayor Maddox wished the property owners good luck in restoring the beleaguered property.