In the second demolition in a week, Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan joined Councilman Sam Caruso and contractors from Peake Construction on Wednesday, June 27, to start the demolition of the Tiki Recreation Association located at 1438 Fremaux Avenue in Slidell.
The Tiki was once a popular community swimming pool for residents of Lakewood subdivision. Established in the 1970s by members of the Lakewood Homeowners Association, the Tiki was a popular summer spot for swim parties and neighborhood gatherings.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina snuffed out the Tiki. The property was severely damaged, and the pool and surrounding buildings were left mostly untouched since Katrina, becoming a hazard for the residents of Lakewood. The City eventually condemned the property.
“The Tiki was once a good community asset,” said Sam Caruso, Councilman of District E. “Many of the people who built it and used it are gone, and Katrina did the rest of the job. Thanks to those who built it. Thanks to those who told us it was dead and needed to be buried. I am glad we could take care of this for the neighborhood. Now it can be used for something else.”
Mayor Drennan and the City of Slidell are cracking down on blighted properties. This was the second demolition in to occur in Slidell over the span of several days. A property at 448 Olive Drive was demolished on June 23 and a house on Old Spanish Trail is scheduled to be demolished the first week of July.
“The City is continuing to move forward after Katrina,” said Mayor Drennan. “Following the letter of the law, we will continue to pursue action from negligent homeowners who have abandoned their properties. When those efforts are unsuccessful, the City will have no choice but to condemn and possibly demolish those properties to clean up our City.”
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Tags: City of Slidell, Councilman Sam Caruso, Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan
