Social media reaction to one property sparks outside attention, but city says work has been ongoing for years
PORT ALLEN — A viral moment from a recent council meeting drew outside attention to a blighted property at 626 Gladiolus Street, but Mayor Terecita Pattan told the Public Safety Committee on February 5 that the city’s blight enforcement efforts are nothing new — and a growing list of active cases proves it.
Pattan said a news station may reach out about the Gladiolus Street property, which belongs to Theodore Melancon, who neighbors say is a veteran whose case sparked a community-wide volunteer response after Corporal Rushing Juneau offered to rally his veterans motorcycle group at the January council meeting. Repairs are still underway, with a representative expected to provide an update at tonight’s meeting.
The mayor said she wouldn’t want to address the media alone, noting the blight enforcement effort was a joint effort between her office and the council.
The attention appeared to stem from social media commentary following the January meeting, with some commenters suggesting the city had only recently taken action on blight. Several council members pushed back, noting that many of the people commenting weren’t from the area.
“This is nothing that we just started,” Pattan said. “We’ve always looked out for blighted properties, whether it’s the neighbor calling or us riding by or inspectors that we’ve had.”
One council member noted that many of the people commenting online weren’t from the area. Another pointed out that the issue had been in the works long before that particular meeting brought it to wider attention.
The mayor said a representative working on the Gladiola Street property plans to provide an update at next week’s council meeting.
Condemnation Process Moves Forward
The city is advancing formal condemnation proceedings on at least two properties where no owners or heirs have been located despite extended efforts.
The city attorney told the council that the mayor is requesting permission to appoint a curator — an attorney who investigates ownership and represents the interests of absent property owners during condemnation hearings. The properties are 451 Harry Brown, which has been in the process for over a year, and 1205 Avenue C.
A third property, 241 Atchafalaya, was also under consideration, but an heir recently contacted the city. The daughter of the deceased property owner told the mayor she had fallen on hard times and was interested in salvaging parts from the trailer on the property. She was expected to attend the meeting but did not appear. The city attorney said the city now has a mailing address for the heir, allowing the formal condemnation process to proceed for that property as well.
The city attorney explained the curator’s role: they conduct research to locate owners, then present their findings and an itemized invoice at the condemnation hearing. Each property is handled individually, and costs vary depending on the complexity of the search. The mayor has the legal authority to appoint a curator, but brought the request to the council for transparency.
The city is taking a phased approach to condemnation, starting with properties where inspection reports have already been completed rather than ordering reports on every blighted address at once.
“Everything comes with a cost,” the city attorney said. “We want all the reports to be up to date.”
A previous condemnation case — a property at 1134 12th C belonging to a Ms. Robinson — was resolved last year when the owner demolished the house. That case was one of four properties where inspector Mr. Altazan completed reports, along with the three now moving toward curator appointments.
Veterans May Qualify for Blight Assistance
Pattan shared new information that could help other property owners avoid condemnation. Through the work on the Melancon property at 626 Gladiolus Street, the city learned that the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs has funding available to assist veterans with property repairs — a resource that community members also began connecting Melancon with after the January meeting.
Pattan asked council members to share the information with constituents in their districts, noting that many people were unaware of the program until it was recently brought to light.
Active Blight Properties — Where Things Stand
Beyond the condemnation cases and Gladiolus Street, the city is tracking enforcement actions on a growing list of properties across Port Allen:
630 South 14th Street — No contact found for the owner. The city has been working on this property for a while and is asking council members for any leads.
410 South 14th Street — The Raleigh house. The owner requested 60 days to address the property. That deadline falls approximately March 9. The city plans to revisit the case at the first meeting of next month.
Trimble property — Mr. Trimble appeared before the council to correct the address on file and request approximately six months to complete repairs out of pocket. He told the committee he boarded up windows after learning people were going in and out of the property. The city attorney clarified that no formal condemnation process has begun — Trimble’s appearance was a courtesy request. Council members acknowledged he has been making progress on the property.
1433 Rosedale — Mac Max Investments paid the property tax. The city is waiting on paperwork from Attorney Terry Lacey. Originally brought to the city’s attention by a citizen complaint.
1219 Court Street — The house is standing but a shed on the property has collapsed. A certified letter has been sent requesting the shed be removed.
336 Michigan Avenue — A federal housing property. The realtor for the home next door is unable to complete a sale until the blighted property is resolved. Progress was delayed by the federal government shutdown, but contact has since been reestablished.
Additional properties from Councilwoman Gordon — The mayor received a list of additional addresses from Councilwoman Charlene Gordon for inspection. Photos have not yet been taken but will be completed before next week’s council meeting.
Town Hall Set for February 25
Residents with concerns about blighted properties or other city issues are invited to the first town hall meeting of 2026, scheduled for February 25 at 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of City Hall at 375 Court Street.
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