Three months after fire destroyed five businesses on the south side of the Fayetteville square, the street is still fenced off and a large pile of debris waits to be cleaned up. Property owners said they verbally agreed they would have one company give a quote to remove the debris since it had been combined to smolder the fire following the Feb. 8 five alarm fire.

Brittany Holcomb, owner of The Skin Refinery, said the lowest quote is $221,200 for all lots. She said one of the lots was a double lot, so they considered it five lots while estimating the cleanup. “I approved the quote for my portion and was ready to start the cleanup process,” she said. “I was told Josh Chandler and Jacky Eakes are considering donating their lots to the city.” Holcomb said she was also told the sheriff offered for inmates to clean up the debris at no charge. “I asked how the asbestos would be tied into it? It has been confirmed there is asbestos in the pile and See Market, Page 4A ^ some portions of the pile are 16feet deep that hasn’t been disturbed. We don’t know what is at the bottom of that pile,” she said.

“Based on information I’ve received, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen will vote on whether or not the City will accept the donation and the responsibility for the cleanup of that portion,” Holcomb said. She and Kyle Ragsdale (the late Mickey Lawson’s son-inlaw) spoke on the matter during the public comments portion of Thursday’s BOMA work session.

Holcomb said after she talked to the sheriff, there was a misunderstanding about the inmates being able to help with the cleanup. She said this raised many questions. “I have many questions about the oversight and management of this project. Are there going to be guidelines and regulations about how to clean it up if the building owners can’t agree on the plan, if Jacky Eakes donates his lots to the City? Will the City assume responsibility for their portion of the cleanup? Will they forfeit the insurance money by transferring ownership? Will there be a plan for cleanup required by the City prior to accepting the donation? I’m concerned with how the City would even pay for this portion, as the estimate for his (Eakes) is $140,000-ish. My concerns with the situation also include how long this could drag out continuing to be an eyesore and hazard for our community.”

Holcomb has since purchased the building next door to Monks Realty for her business and said she plans to sell her lot once cleanup is completed.

Ragsdale told the board he knew this isn’t a question and answer time, but he would like to know who’s going to be responsible for each portion of the cleanup. “There are three properties and two want to donate them to the city. Will there be a written agreement protecting the remaining owner from being forced to pay damage and cleanup that belongs to the other properties? Will the city attorney review this before any transfer is made?” he asked. “I’m asking the City to handle this transparently, legally and fairly before decisions are made.”

In his administration report, City Administrator Kevin Owens said the board needed to discuss the offer to accept three fire damaged parcels.

Mayor Donna Hartman said a lot has happened since the fire. Insurance has looked at things and a study has been done. “As part of economic development we are often contacted about opportunities for growth,” she said. “You have to have conversations, get information and get facts.” Mayor Hartman said as a result of the fire everything became one ball of debris that contains asbestos. She said an environmental expert would be in Fayetteville May 14 “to tell us exactly what has to be done. There have been rumors galore. Let’s let the experts tell us facts.”

Alderman Joseph Faulkner asked is a proposal is on the table? Owens said, “No. We want to explore our options and include all property owners.”

“I’m OK discussing this,” said Faulkner. “We don’t have money for cleanup.” Earlier in a special called budget work session, the board discussed how tight the upcoming fiscal year 2027 budget will be. Faulkner said he would like to see the property cleaned up beforehand.

Mayor Hartman also said Sheriff Tull Malone has been working with the City since the day of the fire. “He would never endanger his men,” she said. “This is a board decision. We need to be openminded.”

Owens said the sidewalk will be barricaded for the duration of the cleanup. The sidewalks were also damaged during the fire. Mayor Hartman said insurance will not cover the cost of redoing the sidewalks. Public Works Director Jack Williams said the fire compromised underneath the sidewalk because it was attached to the buildings.

Alderman Mike Keenan said he didn’t want to see a municipal building or another lawyer’s office put on that area of Market Street.

Alderman Jeff Alder said he didn’t want it to be a green space. “We need to get the property back on the tax rolls,” he said.

“This needs to be a vibrant area for the city and generate retail space,” Mayor Hartman said. “We will continue to have conversations.”

Owens said several discussions will take place and will include multiple city departments.

Kennan recommended establishing an ad hoc committee to include representatives from several departments. “We need someone on the committee (dedicated) to make sure its not lost in the ether,” Faulkner said.