Fayetteville Council Cracks Down on Downtown

The Fayetteville City Council is putting the squeeze on downtown slumlords. Monday night, the council debated a new historic district ordinance with tough restrictions.

Under the ordinance, building owners will be fined $100 a day if they do not replace boarded up windows with glass or plexi-glass within six months.

The council is endorsing that, but there was some debate on another aspect of the ordinance that deals with the demolition of historic buildings.

"If you demolish a building within six months with no historical value, thats fine, you are getting rid of it," said Elinor Luse. "However, if there is potential historical value and its a contributing building to the whole block that could be historic, a year gives us the opportunity to see if we could find a tenant or buyer."

The ordinance was passed, but not by a majority vote. A second vote is still needed before it goes into effect.