A group of Paducah residents are concerned over the disrepair of what they say is an historic Lowertown building.
Patience Renzulli with the Lowertown Neighborhood Alliance spoke before the Paducah Commission Tuesday asking the city to do more in saving the pre-Civil War-era house on the corner of North 6th and Monroe Streets.
According to her, the house has historic significance as it was used for the funeral visitation of Vice President Alben Barkley, which was attended by former-President Harry S Truman.
Renzulli says the building was in ‘beautiful condition’ until the last few years, now there are holes in the building's roof.
“Whatever action needs to happen quickly because the integrity of the home is truly in trouble," said Renzulli. "Once you get a certain amount of damage and water damage especially as we’re facing the rain season and then winter, we will rapidly approach the point of no return.”
City spokeswoman Pam Spencer says the city is aware of the home’s condition and has been working with the property owner, who does not live in Paducah, over the past several months to make the necessary repairs. Spencer says if the home’s code violations are not met in a timely manner the city could start a foreclosure process.