Madeira City Council cleared the way Monday, July 27, for a blighted building on Camargo Road to come down and a temporary parking lot to go up in its place, giving downtown businesses and the ongoing streetscape project a pressure valve they've sought for months.

Resolution No. 56-26, passed on the consent agenda, authorizes City Manager Michael Norton-Smith to hire Fiscus Excavating, Inc. to demolish the structure at 7842 Camargo Road and convert the site to public parking and construction staging. The property owner agreed to let the city use the land during the streetscape project in exchange for the demolition.

The project costs taxpayers nothing from the general fund. It qualifies as an eligible expense under the Camargo Road Tax Increment Financing district council established in 2024. Norton-Smith described the structure in his report to council as a nuisance for the new owners and surrounding properties.

The parking relief comes as downtown businesses have pressed council to act. Jeffrey Seeley, owner of Piazza Discepoli restaurant on Camargo Road, told council in December 2025 that his business had lost 40 percent of its foot traffic since construction began.

Traffic officer, construction updates

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

Police Chief David Schaefer backed the idea, telling council that left turns into Kroger are "an ingrained habit for residents" and that signage alone isn't stopping the maneuver. Illegal turns are creating additional safety problems, he said.

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 change that began Friday, July 24.

Farm animals, Flock cameras sent to committee

Council referred two policy questions to the Law & Safety Committee: potential restrictions on farm animals within city limits and a fresh review of the Flock license plate reader camera contract. As we reported July 30, the committee met virtually at noon Tuesday to begin discussing both items.

The Flock system, first installed in 2023 at about $51,000 a year, drew a 5-2 vote when council renewed it in January 2026. The contract is next up for renewal in 2027–2028.

Shawnee Run Road lease on the agenda

Also before council was Ordinance No. 26-06, an emergency measure to authorize Norton-Smith to lease the city-owned house at 6930 Shawnee Run Road to a residential tenant. The city bought the property in 2025 for $465,000 from its Strategic Reserve fund for a future road-straightening project not expected to begin until 2030 or later. Council voted 7-0 in May to hire Bastion Property Management to prepare the house for rental.

Council next meets Monday, August 24, at 7:30 p.m.