Eighteen demolitions on the agenda of the Jefferson County Commission’s committee meeting Tuesday prompted Jimmie Stephens to think about potential changes in the area where Lakeshore Parkway will extend to Interstate 459.

“This goes to the old Muscoda Camp community, and the community is in transition,” said Stephens, president of the Jefferson County Commission. “Most of the folks who have passed on and the kids have chosen not to live there in their houses. Some of the houses are run down. Those that wish to stay deserve better than what they have as neighbors. I’ve asked our Developmental Services Department to go through and survey those houses. Those that are dilapidated and in need of repair, (I’ve asked Developmental Services) to give them an opportunity to repair them.”

Stephens said the county can work with property owners who choose not to repair their houses to demolish structures that are uninhabitable.

“That community is home to many, many good people,” Stephens said. “They’ve been there for many years, and they deserve that type of rehabilitation. It’s my intent to see that the county resources are brought to bear to make that happen.”

Resolutions to approve the 18 demolitions were moved to the agenda of Thursday’s commission meeting. Also sent to Thursday’s agenda is a resolution to amend the incentives offered to the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corp. for development of the Alabama Farm Center.

“This is extending the time for them to get their funds in order to start actually moving dirt,” Commissioner Joe Knight said. “They have to raise a certain amount. They’re close, but not yet. It’s just an extension of the time that we’re committed to … the in-kind on our part. We’re extending that another year.”

Another item added to Thursday’s agenda is a contract with Duncan & Dearmon Building Company to construct a new Sheriff’s Academy Evidence Storage, bringing evidence from the Birmingham and Bessemer court districts under one roof. Currently, Birmingham evidence is in the Tom Goor Building and Bessemer district evidence is in the Bessemer sheriff’s office across from the courthouse.

“There’ll be a division between the two,” Sheriff’s spokesman Wayne Rogers said. “There’s going to be a separate room for the Bessemer evidence and the Birmingham evidence.

“We need space, especially for weapons, for guns that are turned in,” Rogers continued. “We really don’t have enough space to store weapons right now. We’re having to use other parts of our storage area for weapons. We need more storage space for weapons.”