Complaints grow with city response to burned out Broad Street building

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – It’s a sight neighbors are getting tired of seeing. The burned out remains of the old Catholic Social Services building.

“They’re not trying to make any effort by trying to get it cleaned torn down it just looks bad to this neighborhood around here,” said Barbara Gresham.

The building burned in November, causing it to collapse spilling bricks onto the city sidewalk where they have sat for the past eight months.

“Processes are processes. I know there is frustrations around how long it’s taken to get this building demolished, and trust I share those frustrations as well,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.

City engineers point to a loose beam on the front wall and are concerned it could fall and say and that is why the sidewalk has not been cleaned because the bricks are preventing anyone from coming in contact with the wall

“I think it’s a joke we’re using that excuse, said Commissioner Sean Frantom. “Yes, there is one beam that could fall on someone, you can’t tell me that some of those bricks can’t be picked up. It’s on a sidewalk right of way. I mean it should have been cleaned up months ago.”

Neighbors also don’t think bricks are a safety factor.

“I ain’t buying that. I mean those little bricks aren’t going to hold that wall up they’re only piled up about that high. I say it needs to be torn down,” said Mike Weckel.

The court has granted the city an emergency demolition order, but even with the legal go ahead the structure is still not gone.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.