Probable solution to nuisance ordinance suit: Property looking better after volunteers’ help

For several months, the Gainesville City Council has attempted to have a property at Main and Sixth Streets in Gainesville cleaned up so it is in compliance with the city’s nuisance ordinance, which aims to ensure that all structures and properties within the city limits remain neat and tidy. And during the April 14 council meeting, they received a “happy” update in the matter.

According to James Mucklestone, Gainesville’s city attorney, the property owner, Melanie Huff, agreed to allow others help clean the place up. In response, several business owners, private citizens and city council members pitched in to get the property into shape. 

“We essentially got a resolution of the matter,” he told the council. “A nice piece of work done by some volunteers. Not only did we have the volunteers do a nice, wonderful thing, we have a willing recipient of the goodness... So it’s not a ‘you shall,’ it’s ‘hey let’s.’...When this process was started, the recipient of this attention was not looking great. She’s looking much better, even though she’s been in and out of the hospital. Her spirits are vastly improved.”

Alderman Lana Bushong agreed. “Both days we were there…she would cry once in a while, and she would say, ‘No, they’re good tears, Lana. I’m tickled to death.’ I told her I knew [she’d] be happy when we got to this point, and she said ‘I’m happy.’ She’s been awesome about it.”

“That’s the biggest win that I see,” added Mucklestone. “We took what could have been kind of a sore spot, and now it’s looking better, and people are feeling better.”

Mucklestone said the final check-up on the property will be in August. If the property is in compliance, the case against the property owner will be dismissed.