The Demopolis City Council discussed the future of the Rosenbush warehouse building that fronts onto Main Avenue in Demopolis during Thursday night’s meeting.

Mayor Mike Grayson said it’s an empty building that the city can’t afford to keep up like it should be. He wanted to declare the property as surplus, then bid it out for someone to renovate and fix up.

“When we bid it out, I want to make sure it cannot be demolished,” Grayson said. “It’s a historic structure, and we definitely don’t want to lose it.”

Councilman Harris Nelson was concerned that a clause should be added to the surplus resolution stating that whoever buys the property cannot demolish the building, but Grayson said it could be stated in the bid when it goes out.

After a lengthy discussion, the council decided to table the item until the next meeting.

In other business, Marengo County Economic Development Authority Director Brenda Tuck asked the council to continue their pledge to MCEDA in their next budget. Since MCEDA began in 2008, Tuck said, the city of Demopolis has pledged $50,000 to them.

The council also tabled a discussion on what to do with the Cenac property in the Industrial Park, as well as board appointments that need to be made.

Grayson also gave an update on the road work being done by ALDOT on Highway 80. He said the project is inconvenient but necessary.

“They’re stabilizing the road shoulder because it wasn’t done properly the first time,” he said. “It was causing the pavement to deteriorate.”

Grayson also said the Shelton State Community College truck driving course will begin in October.

In other business, the council rescheduled their next meeting from Thursday, Sept. 18 to Monday, Sept. 15.