Tracy Brooks is tired of looking at the bricks and other debris remaining at the old L&S Shopping Center off North Jefferson Street in Athens.

As a member of Northside Church of Christ, located next to the site, Brooks sees the rubble every Sunday.

He watches as the city spends money to landscape and beautify spots downtown while North Jefferson Street, specifically the L&S site, remains an eyesore.

He worries the remaining bricks at the site could also pose a safety issue.

“I’m just waiting for someone to fall and sue,” Brooks said.

Who owns it?

Although the former L&S Shopping Center property lies inside the city, it is owned by Limestone County. The county paid $525,000 for it in 2012. Former commissioners and former commission chairman Stanley Menefee had planned to renovate the L&S Grocery and Fred’s Discount Supermarket for use as office space for the Alabama probation and parole field office and for the Limestone County Community Corrections Program. The idea was to stop paying rent for those offices downtown. But, after buying the property, they determined renovating the old buildings would cost too much, so they switched gears and had the old buildings razed in 2014. While most of the debris was removed, a small amount still remains — enough to make the site look downtrodden.

“It looks pathetic,” Brooks said. “The city is putting green spots around downtown. North Jefferson is a well traveled road to be left how it is.”

Athens City Council President Wayne Harper, who represents residents in District 5 where the L&S property is located, said during this year’s re-election campaign he would like the city to improve the look of the North Jefferson Street area. When asked Thursday about what the city might do about the L&S debris, Harper said, “I’ve had people call before about that. I have talked to the mayor about it and the county has been made aware of it. I don’t think the brick is dangerous, but it is kind of an eyesore.”

Limestone County Commission Chairman Mark Yarbrough said Thursday he would get with county officials and see what could be done. He said a backhoe or end loader could be used to removed the bricks and any other debris.

Whoever wins Tuesday’s contest for Limestone County Commission District 4 may be able to move the project along. Incumbent Commissioner Ben Harrison, a Republican, and his challenger, Bill Daws, a former commissioner and independent, are both seeking the office.