Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Oct. 18, 2024 – The City of Jonesboro will begin the process of condemning the old Citizens Bank building.

In a news conference Thursday morning, the City issued a 7-day notice of emergency condemnation of the building to all known property owners and their legal counsel.

“After thorough research and multiple meetings with engineering and construction professionals, it has been determined that the most practical, expedient and safest action to reopen Main Street is to move forward with an emergency condemnation process to remove the structure,” Mayor Harold Copenhaver said. “At this time, we simply don’t have professional confidence that a partial remedial effort will allow that after even a significant investment by the City.”

During the seven calendar days, the City will begin environmental reviews and start creating demolition plans for the structure.

After completing the reviews, the City will arrive at a cost estimate, which will be presented to the City Council for funding authorization if property owners have not taken action to repair the safety hazards.

This action is “contractually engaging an approved construction professional to immediately remedy the areas of concern and allow for Main Street to be safely reopened to traffic,” according to the condemnation notice provided to the property owners.

The property has been part of yearslong legal litigation. Andy Smith, with Laurel Park LLC, owns the land, while Bruce Burrow, with One Main Square LLC, owns the building.

Copenhaver said all costs incurred by the city will be documented and presented to Smith and Burrow, or their legal counsels. This includes reimbursement and any associated fees or fines.

“We plan to seek repayment by all available means,” Copenhaver said. “Once this process is completed, that may or may not be successful, but at this point, inaction is not an option when a major corridor is impacted. Our wonderful downtown is hurting.”

Streets surrounding the building first shut down Sept. 25 after City Councilperson Chris Moore noticed a bulge in the side of the building. Some streets have reopened, although there are still alternate traffic patterns downtown. Under the recommendation of structural engineer Jordan Lane with North Delta Engineering, protection walls were built in front of First Horizon Bank. Construction of the wall was completed Oct. 11