Two buildings in Leeds appear to be heading down different paths as the Leeds City Council works to determine their final fate.

The properties being discussed are the Leeds Armory building and an historic church structure, formerly home to Pathway Baptist Church, which sits on Ashville Road.

After hearing from those representing Pathway Baptist Church about their plans to secure the building and make certain repairs, the council approved a measure giving them six months to get the work done.

Keith Hall of Mid-South Construction spoke on behalf of Jack Courson, who is working to save the building after the city deemed it unsafe. Hall said the work to be done at the church would include fixing leaks in the roof, securing the building from illegal entry, replacing broken and loose glass, and trashing out any debris. He said the goal was to get the building in shape so it may be marketed to a church or other organization.

“We want to give it a better curbside appearance. At that point, we hope to find a congregation or other group that would be a positive occupant for the building,” Hall said.

Since Courson is the lone representative of the church, he said volunteers and his work crews would perform some of the work in order to save money. He said he felt the work could be done in six months.

Mayor Eric Patterson said even with the list of projects to be done by Hall and Courson, whoever moved in would still have some work to do to get it up to city codes.

That work may include electrical wiring and possibly mold remediation.

Hall said he agreed the building would not be ready for occupancy at the end of six months, but that it would be marketable to those who might have the resources to do the remainder of the work.

“Quite a bit will need to be done by whoever comes in,” Hall said. “Right now, we want to stop the bleeding so it can be marketed.”

The council voted to continue a resolution that could lead to the building’s demolition. A construction permit will be granted to Hall to perform the required work and representatives of the property will report back to the council regarding progress of the work in three months.

The armory building is a different story. After receiving a materials report on the structure, the council moved forward with the solicitation of bids for its demolition.

Even a former supporter of maintaining the building, Councilman Johnny Kile, said that after reading the report he could not support saving the structure. The primary reason for his change of heart had to do with the amount of asbestos found in the building.

“I’ve changed my attitude toward the building. My father worked down there and he died of cancer. I feel at this point we need to get rid of (the building),” Kile said.

The council voted 4-1 in favor of soliciting demolition bids. District 1 Councilman Kenneth Washington voted against the measure.

Other issues discussed by the council included:

• City Engineer Frank Spencer provided a report to the council regarding a third fire station in Leeds. The council is eyeing property that it owns near Hwy. 119 for the site of the new station.

Spencer said some issues, such as sinkholes, would need to be remedied. He estimated it would cost the city approximately $47,000 to prepare the site for construction.

The council took no action on the measure, but several members said no matter where they built, there would be issues to overcome. The property being considered is currently owned by the city. The location is also attractive because it fills a need as determined by a recent fire report that showed that area lacked adequate fire protection;

• agreeing to work with Curves and the Leeds/Moody Welfare Cooperative in allowing signs to be placed advertising a food drive. Currently the signs are not allowed on city right-of-ways, but Patterson said with certain limitations, and because it was for the betterment of the community, that something might be able to be worked out;

• discussing a citation issued against Tire Toters, Inc. Jack Levine, owner of the operation was cited for the way his tires were being stored. He was given 30 additional days to remove the tires and it was ruled he did not need a business license, but rather a deliver license, which he must purchase;

• approved an expenditure of $472 per phone for updates to the E-911 system;

• approved to set easements along two properties of Hwy. 119 for a sidewalk project;

• approved the purchase of two police vehicles, up to $50,000. The vehicles were budgeted items;

• certified additional sidewalk work, which is part of a Safe Sidewalks Grant provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation.

While the exact route of the sidewalk is still unknown, the intention, according to councilmembers, is to connect the middle school to the elementary school, possibly along Montague Avenue. The cost to the city will be $30,000;

• Councilman Ross Bartee asked that the council consider renovating the Leeds tennis courts. He said preliminary estimates indicate the work would cost about $27,000, which would include resurfacing the courts as well as new fencing and nets.

Leeds has initiated a tennis program and over 50 children have signed up, according to Bartee.

The council took no action on the matter;

• approved to submit Requests for Proposals for software work at the Leeds Police Department. The work will be part of a COPS grant;

• Washington brought up for discussion the possibility of lowering the city’s vending license fees. He said he felt the city’s current fee of $500 was too much. He said he would investigate other cities’ fees and report back to the council;

• discussing an annexation issue related to property along Rex Lake Road. A portion of property was annexed into Leeds in 2003, but was not accepted by Jefferson County, according to Patterson. The council offered a first reading to fulfill the annexation of the property;

• Councilwoman Susan Carswell made a motion to purchase a machine for preparing the infield at Leeds High School. The council approved the motion, which will provide $4,500 to the school system with the agreement it will be paid back within one year. State Representative Owen Drake later said he felt he had some funds available that could be awarded to the school that would allow them to pay back the money much sooner