Barring last-minute appeal, derelict Woodmere apartments will be demolished Friday

In the Woodmere subdivision, Alex Kornman Boulevard is the dividing line. To the west are single-family homes with neatly manicured lawns.

But to the east, wedged between Destrehan Avenue, are rows of apartments--some vacant, some occupied. And it is the place where many of the Harvey neighborhood's troubles lay.

On Friday afternoon, barring a last minute appeal, contractors will raze 2636 Destrehan Ave., just two blocks from where 6-year-old Ahlittia North was found murdered. The Jefferson Parish Council authorized an emergency demolition of the building after owner Leon Capers Jr. failed to appear for a hearing.

An order for demolition is posted on 2636 Destrehan Ave.

"We have to make sure that all citizens of Jefferson Parish, including Woodmere, have a certain quality of life that they would expect anywhere in this parish,'' said Parish Councilman Mark Spears, who pressed for expedited demolitions in the neighborhood after Ahlittia's death.

The council Wednesday directed the administration to move forward with demolition of properties that have been abandoned and boarded up for six months. Spears has put forward six buildings in Woodmere for immediate action, including 2836 Destrehan, where the child was found.

Since he first called public attention to the conditions of abandoned apartments in the community, some owners have started making repairs. During a tour of apartments in the 3700 block of Long Leaf Lane, Spears pointed out new doors, windows and caulking on one structure on the demolition list.

"No one has obtained a permit to work on this building,'' he said of 3709 Long Leaf.

Another apartment next door was occupied to 3713 was occupied.

"He (resident) stated he would see people coming in and out when it was vacant doing drugs and stuff. When he came home, he would pay attention because he was scared someone was in here, waiting for him,'' Spears said.

Christy Boudreaux, a 30-year resident of Woodmere, said she is concerned about the chaos in the apartments negatively impacting her property value. But she is happy to see the parish moving forward with the tear downs.

Said Boudreaux: "The problem with the apartments affect all of Woodmere.''

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that work was being done on 3713 Long Leaf Lane without permission. The correct address is 3709.