The property owner of an unfinished aquaponics project in southern Leon County now faces a new public notice and owes more than $35,000 in fines.<\/p>\n
This involves the Hines Aqua Fresh Fish Farm near Woodville Park. The partially built structure was demolished<\/a> back in February following concerns from residents<\/a> and county leaders about safety.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Leon County Commission Chair Christian Caban said the site “has been left in a hazardous condition with debris and exposed materials. With minimal progress or cooperation from the property owner.”<\/p>\n Caban added the owner has accrued $35,750 in fines, which are growing daily.<\/p>\n He says Leon County has now issued a Notice of Public Nuisance for the property. If the owner does not come into compliance in 30 days, Caban says the issue will go before a Nuisance Abatement Board, allowing the county to place a lien on the property to cover costs or take direct action to bring the property into compliance.<\/p>\n Around the time of demolition, a spokesperson for Hines Aqua Fresh Werener Randolph said a team was working to remove materials efficiently and recycle concrete and steel.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re bringing the wall down, clearing the debris, and crushing the concrete to reuse it. It takes time and money, but we\u2019re doing it,\u201d Randolph said.<\/p>\n The county says that work has not moved fast enough.<\/p>\n Last summer, the county board approved a motion allowing staff to explore whether the landowner might be willing to sell the parcel for potential public uses, such as park expansion or housing. No decisions have been made.<\/p>\n Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website.<\/a><\/p>\n Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n Like us on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us on\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a>and X.<\/a><\/p>\n