Moores Mill duplex owner won’t sell to Huntsville Housing Authority, cites ‘public pressure’
Good.
Not because of the end result but because if the government is going to do something in your neighborhood you should know.
The Huntsville Housing Authority’sfirst attempt at buying property outside the city limits has drawn mixed results.
Gurley Mayor Stan Simpson says he is receptive to the housing authority purchasing and fixing up the 16-unit Gates Street Apartments in the town’s historic district.
Residents of the Moores Mill community weren’t as welcoming.
When news broke on June 21 that the housing authority was interested in acquiring two duplexes on Riverside Drive, nearby homeowners petitioned against the idea.
Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Lundy said the duplex owner took the property off the market Thursday.
“I got communication from our Realtor that said he’s basically decided not to sell because of all the public pressure coming from the media and the residents,” Lundy said Friday.
That’s exactly what he predicted would happen under a new state law that requires the housing authority to disclose potential real estate purchases 30 days before entering into a contract.
Yep, Lundy wants to be able to buy property outside of Huntsville, as part of a board appointed by Huntsville’s mayor with no knowledge of the folks in those communities.
Even before it passed, Lundy said the law would hamper the agency from moving into wealthier areas because neighbors would mobilize and pressure the property owner not to sell.
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“I think every time we go into a non-impacted area, we’re going to have this happen,” said Lundy. The notification law “is really creating more obstacles and more hurdles for us to clear before we can meet our obligations.
“I’m very concerned about that going forward.”
He wants to opeate in secrecy.
Good job Rep. Ball and Senator Arthur Orr, they sponsored this bill.
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