Council Wrap Up: Mexico Lindo, Hospital Signs and Demolition

Notes on Mexico Lindo Public Nuisance 

The City Council has authorized the City Attorney to by declaring the business a public nuisance, however it looks as if they may not be the first to strike a death blow to the troubled establishment. 

Instead, a court battle waged by the restaurant and club's landlord could see Mexico Lindo evicted as soon as next week. 

"As of this afternoon, the landlord wanted us to know that they are aggressively pursuing an eviction," said Fredericksburg Police Chief David Nye to the City Council. "They are seriously behind on their rent and the health department has revoked their licenses as well."

According to Nye, Mexico Lindo's landlord has been granted a court date for the eviction proceedings next week. 

During the discussion, At-Large Councilor Kerry Devine, Ward 2 Councilor George Solley and Ward 1 Councilor Bea Paolucci said they were surprised to learn that the city is only discovering unlicensed businesses after a serious incident, and seemed interested in proactively enforcing compliance with city business regulations and licensing. 

"I was surprised to learn that it was only going to take paying the back taxes to reobtain their license," said Devine. "It seemed too easy to get their business license back."

"I would be interested in seeing fines imposed on a business which require four or five police responses in a month or so," said Paolucci.

Hospital Signs Clear Final Hurdle

The Fredericksburg City Council has unanimously approved a 40 year lease with Mary Washington Hospital's parent company, Medicorp, allowing it to erect new hospital signs on Route 1 and Cowan Blvd. 

The reason? City Council wanted to seek an agreement whereby the city would be able to post emergency notifications on the LED message board included in the Route 1 sign.

Representatives from Fredericksburg's police and fire departments met with hospital officials and hashed out an agreement allowing the city to use the LED sign to display information relating to Amber Alerts, school lockdowns, severe weather information, hazmat incidents and major road closures. 

Former Councilor Appointed to Regional Transportation Board

Former City Councilor Matthew Kelly makes something of an official return to policymaking with his appointment as an alternate to the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission. 

Kelley is a sometimes outspoken advocate for municipal fiscal responsibility and taxation issues. His recent opposition to the construction of a new city courts facility has also garnered attention from the local media and has influenced debate at the city council level. 

The PRTC is a regional transportation authority which oversees bus lines and ride sharing programs primarily in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park.

City Set to Demolish Prince Edward Street Structure

The City Council approved a measure transferring $80,000 in contingency funds to pay for the demolition of a burned out structure at 1200 Prince Edward Street.

The building has been a vacant shell ever since a 2003 fire gutted the structure, which at one point held a dozen apartments. Back in January 2009, the City Council approved a plan which would have seen the structure renovated with four condominiums, however nothing became of those plans. 

Fredericksburg Building and Development Services Department inspected the building this past January and determined that the building was a public safety risk. The property owner was ordered to demolish the building, or have the city demolish it at the cost of the property owner. If not paid, the city can sell the property at a tax auction to recover the cost of demolition.