Property owner addresses Abbevile Council's concerns about old Schwegmann’s

The old Schwegmann’s building and property on the Bypass in Abbeville has been vacant for several years.
That has served as a concern to the Abbeville City Council, with the issue being brought to the table many times in recent years.
Councilman-at-Large Francis Plaisance voiced some concerns with the appearance of the property during a recent meeting. Those issues have since been addressed by the Baton Rouge-based company that owns the property.
Representatives of the company, Builders Center, Inc., met with Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza and City Attorney Ike Funderburk following the July 15 Council meeting, where Plaisance brought up the issues, including some pot holes and a leaning light pole.
“We informed them of some of the issues we were concerned about,” Piazza said Monday morning. “They explained to us that they have a grounds keeper and caretaker. They told us they would have that gentleman do the necessary repairs. They were also going to cut the grass and weedeat the property.”
The company filled in a larger pot hole on the roadway off La. Highway 82 that many drivers use to enter the parking lot for McDonald’s. The city is not responsible for the upkeep of that roadway.
“That is private property,” Piazza said, “just like the parking lot and building.”
The fact that it is all private limits any effect that the city can have on the property.
“Cosmetically, it looks like they have satisfied the city codes that regulate such activity,” Piazza said. “There is only so much the city can do as far as anything else goes.”
The mayor said the best-case scenario is obviously a business occupying the area. The property is on the market.
“We would like to see the property once again be a good commercial area,” Piazza said. “We don’t want it to be an eyesore. We would like it to be something we can be proud of and exist as a business as it once did. It is a prime location in a business area that has a lot of activity.
“It is a prime location for someone to open some type of business.”