A blighted building on Camargo Road is coming down, and a temporary public parking lot will take its place, giving downtown Madeira shoppers and business owners some relief as overlapping road projects squeeze the commercial corridor.

Madeira City Council approved Resolution No. 56-26 on July 27, authorizing City Manager Michael Norton-Smith to contract with Fiscus Excavating, Inc. to demolish the structure at 7842 Camargo Road and build the lot. The resolution passed on the consent agenda.

The pressure has been building since at least December 2025, when Jeffrey Seeley, owner of Piazza Discepoli restaurant on Camargo Road, told council his business had lost 40 percent of its foot traffic. "Passports and other initiatives are not bringing in traffic," Seeley said at the December 8, 2025 meeting, calling on council to act "with urgency, with accountability, and without losing businesses downtown."

The project draws no money from the city's general fund. It qualifies as an eligible expense under the Camargo Road Tax Increment Financing district, which council established in 2024. In exchange for the demolition, the property owner gave the city use of the site for temporary public parking and construction staging during the streetscape project.

Norton-Smith's report to council described the structure as "an existing nuisance for the new owners and surrounding properties." Fiscus Excavating was chosen for its residential demolition expertise and its ability to finish before Camargo Road sidewalk work begins.

Traffic officer proposal referred to committee

Vice Mayor Ramzi Takieddine referred a proposal to station a police officer at the Kroger entrance during peak hours to the Budget and Finance Committee for cost review. Norton-Smith told council the estimated expense would run $20,000 to $25,000 for the duration of construction.

Police Chief David Schaefer backed the idea, telling council that signage barring left turns into Kroger isn't working because the maneuver is "an ingrained habit for residents." Backups from illegal turns are creating additional safety problems, Schaefer said. The proposal has not yet been formally approved.

Paver sidewalk delayed to 2027

Norton-Smith also disclosed that a railroad complication will push completion of the paver sidewalk between Kroger and Railroad Avenue into 2027. The railroad's crossing arm cannot reach the detoured northbound travel lane, requiring a traffic flow modification that began July 24.

Despite the setback, construction continued across the Miami Avenue, Laurel Avenue, and Camargo Road projects during the week of July 21. Contractor Ford Development installed the first section of curb on Miami Avenue and plans to add a second crew north of Laurel Avenue. Duke Energy was on Laurel Avenue installing bases for pedestrian streetlamps.

Average traffic speeds on the downtown corridor during construction have improved, according to data Norton-Smith cited at the meeting: 13 mph during 2025 construction, up to 21 mph in 2026.

Council next meets August 10, at 7:30 p.m.