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Old bank building a public health hazard
To the editor:
I am writing this letter about a public health issue that exists on Main Street. The original First National Bank building, at 120 W. Main St., has been vacant now for approximately 20 years. The current owner has no incentive to repair it. The current owner placed black plastic over all the windows and doors so no one can see inside. But anyone walking by can easily smell the black mold and mildew eking out of this building. The roof has completely caved in and one can easily stand at the front door and look through the cracks of the plastic on the doors and witness the ruin of this landmark building.
I own Russell Sales, at 203 W. Main St., next door to the building. If we have our doors open to let in fresh air, within minutes our noses are burning. I have contacted and had discussions with the mayor of Blytheville, several members of the Blytheville City Council, a representative from the Mississippi County Health Department and the head representative from the State of Arkansas Health Department. I have been told that unless someone lives in the building, it is not a threat to anyone's health. I beg to differ. Forget that the building is a historic landmark building that deserves to be rescued. Forget that it's just another empty building on Main Street. Instead, think about all the massive layers of black mold and mildew growing unrestricted right under our noses.
Short of a lawsuit forcing the issue, this is my last course of action. Something seriously needs to be done to clean this building up of all the black mold and mildew. This building needs to be condemned by the local city Code Enforcement Department or something needs to be forced on the current owner, as it is their responsibility.