Phil Campbell council pursues CDBG for demolition planning of hazardous downtown buildings
Phil Campbell council on June 3 pursued CDBG funding for hazardous downtown buildings, tightened unsafe-structures rules with fines, and OK’d $4,000 for land.
On June 3, 2026, the Phil Campbell Town Council voted to pursue a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) as one possible way to address a group of deteriorating downtown buildings that officials described as hazardous.
According to reporting on the council actions, Kreg Kennedy, a senior district field representative for Congressman Robert Aderholt, toured the buildings on May 14 after town officials provided information about conditions including falling bricks and walls separating. Mayor Greg Williams said the town is pursuing CDBG help that could support demolition efforts.
What council actually approved (and what still has to happen)
A key detail for residents: council’s action is about seeking/pursuing funding, not starting demolition immediately.
The coverage also says that if the funding is received, the town would hire an engineer to help prepare demolition safety plans, with those costs covered by the grant. And Williams said the town must acquire ownership of the properties before pursuing the funding.
Ordinance update: unsafe-structures enforcement revised, fines added
In the same set of council actions, officials approved revisions to the town’s unsafe structures/dangerous buildings ordinance. Williams said the changes included reorganizing parts of the ordinance and adding fines.
For property owners and downtown stakeholders, the practical implication is that the town is moving to strengthen how it can enforce cleanup and safety requirements—especially for buildings the town finds unsafe.
Ball Park Road land purchase: about two acres for about $4,000
Council also approved purchasing about two acres near Ball Park Road for about $4,000. Officials said the goal was to help prevent unwanted development near the ballparks.
What to watch next for the downtown cleanup timeline
Because the CDBG piece is described as pursuit, the next steps depend on process milestones, including: whether the town can complete the ownership requirement, whether CDBG funding is awarded/received, and what engineering/demolition planning follows after that.
Residents can also follow future steps through the town’s posted Town Council meeting schedule.
Sources
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