A Jennings woman is said she is concerned at the lack of progress on securing and repairing a deteriorating rice dryer located near the intersection of Wilbert D. Rochelle Avenue and South Market Street.

Resident Carolyn Washington said she is frustrated that after seven years of complaints, the city has failed to address issues with the abandoned rice dryer, which she says is a dangerous and unsightly structure.

The Jennings City Council was scheduled to discuss the property Tuesday, but the matter was tabled because property owner Dale Hughes II was unable to attend the meeting due to preparing his property in Vermilion Parish for the tropical storm.

Mayor Henry Guinn said Hughes had taken pictures of the property and made some repairs ahead of the scheduled meeting.

“He would like 30 days to come back and approach the council to discuss his plans and what his purpose is for the building,” Guinn said.

Washington contends Hughes and the city are “seven years too late” in placing the item on the agenda and attempting to address issues with the property.

Washington, who has repeatedly voiced her concern about the condition of the property, to both the Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury and Jennings City Council, blamed the problems on the lack of action by city officials. Emails to council members about the issue have gone unanswered, she said.

“This issue took seven years for you guys to bring it before the council,” she said in addressing the mayor and city council. “This property has been a problem since 2011 and today he did some things out there that should have been done seven years ago.”

She contends the city and the property owner do not have the money to tear the old rice dryer down or fix it.

“So what is the council going to do,” she asked. “Are we going to continue to allow it to stand or are we going to hold him accountable for his actions?”

She said problems with the structure have included loose tin which blew off during Hurricane Delta, overgrown grass, vandalism and dilapidation of the property. Copper wire and other components have also been stolen over the years.

The property was previously adjudicated to the parish and set for demolition in 2022, but was purchased by Hughes before it could be torn down, according to Washington. Since then, she said nothing has been done until this week.

Guinn said there has been ongoing communications with Hughes and that Hughes was approached by an investment group to use the facility to store rice. Hughes also presented plans for the property to the city about five years ago, he said.

“The only use to our knowledge would be as a storage facility,” Guinn said. “It is too expensive to rehabilitate that building to make it a (rice) dryer again. However, dried rice can be stored and agitated in that facility without significant investment.”

City Code Enforcement Officer Phillip Arceneaux said Hughes has secured all of the doors, covered a majority of the windows and secured a ladder that people were using to access the top of the structure. A hole in front of the structure has also been filled in with dirt.

The biggest concern now is the deterioration of a metal structure facing Wilbert D. Rochelle Avenue, he said. The structure needs to be removed because it is a potential hazard that can become a projectile, Arceneaux said.

Council President Stevie VanHook said Hughes has met whatever requirements have been asked of him with regards to access to the building, the grass and the projectile potential of the loose tin and metal roof.

Councilman Johnny Armentor said letters from certified building inspector Rodney Richard in 2022, recommended that the structure be repaired or condemned. Arceneaux said the condemnation was the “opinion” of Richard and that the city never officially condemned the structure. By law, the city has to allow the owner the opportunity to repair and restore the structure, he said.

“Yes, in my opinion it should be torn down, but I cannot tell Mr. Hughes how to spend or not to spend his money,” Arceneaux said. “If he feels he can refurbish or rehab this to become a functional facility, we have to give him that opportunity.”

Arceneaux said Hughes should have the opportunity to go before the council next month and address any concerns the council or residents have. The council will make the final recommendation to condemn or repair the structure, he said.

Councilwoman Carolyn Simon also asked that Hughes provide the council with itemized statements and receipts on any work that has been done to the building.

The structure currently does not have water, sewer or electricity. Utilities would have to be brought up to current safety and building codes if the structure is rehabilitated.