An abandoned nursing home, which was reportedly flooded during Hurricane Matthew, has been condemned by the Johnston County Inspections Department.
In January, WTSB News first reported Smithfield Town Councilman Travis Scott requested city leaders investigate who owned the vacant facility at the intersection of Hospital and Buffalo Roads and to see if they had any plans for the property.
Afterwards the Town of Smithfield wrote a letter to the Catawba County business that owns the property and asked for a representative to allow a walk-through of the building but received no response.
County Inspections Director Dean Barbour told WTSB News on Wednesday the county condemned the building last week and sent a letter to the owner notifying them of the condemnation. The letter gives the owner 10 days to state their intentions with the property.
According to Johnston County tax records, the 4.3 acre property is owned by Smithfield Property Holdings LLC of Hickory.
Town Manager Michael Scott said if Smithfield Property Holdings fails to response to the condemnation letter, additional letters and 10 day periods are required before the Town can issue fines.
“Once fines are implemented and these are unsuccessful then we may get our attorney involved in moving forward with legal actions following council approvals,” Scott said. “It is our hope that the owners of the property will be good neighbors and partners to make the property safe after the matter is brought to their attention. At this point we hope to work with them to mitigate the condemnation issues discovered through the building inspection process.”
