DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – Dothan city commissioners spent nearly $900,000 to buy three homes in the city’s historic Garden District as part of a plan leaders said would help ease chronic flooding. But, years later, the homes are still standing, and city officials have not provided clear answers about what happened to the project or when a solution is coming.
Garden District homeowner Susan Price, who has lived on Tacoma Street for 25 years, said flooding has been a problem for decades.
“It’s not good,” Price said. “And then when the flooding is over, you’ve got to do all the cleanup.”
In 2022, the city discussed buying properties and removing them to create retention ponds — an approach intended to hold stormwater and reduce flooding in the Girard Basin. But when WTVY visited Tacoma Street and nearby Oak Drive this week, the properties expected to become ponds were still in place. Conventional flood control would have cost tens of millions.
Commissioner David Crutchfield, who represents the Garden District, said flooding remains a safety concern.
“I’ve seen it multiple times in my life and it’s just not safe,” Crutchfield said. “These neighborhoods were designed without the proper retention, storm water.”
After purchasing the three homes, the city did not demolish them and instead moved forward with a study with findings expected in March 2024.
WTVY News4 requested the study. In a text exchange, City Communications Officer Vincent Vincent said, “Previous studies have been scrapped due to the new city-wide focus. Check back in a few months.”
After purchasing three homes, the city did not demolish them and instead moved forward with a study with findings expected in March 2024.(Katie Ring)
With project managers out of town this week, Vincent and Crutchfield declined to discuss details of the project.
City records show the three properties cost $895,500.
Some neighbors said they are concerned about the vacant, city-owned homes.
New Garden District resident Bethany Bhattacharya, who lives next door to the Oak Drive home, said she knew the property was city-owned and vacant when she bought her home, but she worries about long-term impacts.
“A home that sits unoccupied…will start to deteriorate,” Bhattacharya said. “And unfortunately…that can lead to a lot of other issues that can kind of blend into our property.”
At one of the homes, WTVY News4 found signs of squatting, and neighbors shared concerns about possible drug activity.
Bhattacharya said she wants flooding addressed, but she is not convinced retention ponds are the answer.
“There’s a lot of pride and ownership on the property,” she said. “I don’t know that a retention pond is what the Garden District’s vibe is supposed to be.”
Price said she worries about safety if ponds are built near homes.
“They’re usually dirty. I think you’re asking for problems. Snakes. And heaven knows what,” Price said. “And I’ve got small children. I don’t want them over there and in danger.”
City officials have not said when they expect to provide an updated plan for the Garden District flooding project.
Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published. Available for FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!
Copyright 2026 WTVY. All rights reserved.
Comments are closed.