Last Day Gospel Church has 60 days to remedy a safety hazard caused by a sagging, structurally unsound addition off the church’s main building. If the safety issue still exists at that point, the city will step in — no exception or extensions.

That was the resounding message given by Council members and mayor Lew Starling, who held lengthy discussion about the dilapidated condition, and possible condemnation, of the structure at 304 Barden St. for the second time in as many months.

Rosa Fryar, who oversees the church, and her daughter, Elizabeth Tita, were given notice of the unsafe building in August, stating it would be recommended for condemnation. City planning officials said the actual church building, which includes the sanctuary and fellowship hall, is in good shape. However, the second-floor unit, an apartment-style building attached in the early 80s, was a point of concern in that there are significant structural issues.

Planning director Jeff Vreugdenhil said it would cost $7,500 to demolish the problem area. Fryar and Tita have expressed their desire to keep and fix the building.

Building inspector Myron Cashwell shared a particular concern with the adverse effect the addition, if left unresolved, would have on the original structures. He recommended the church secure a structural engineer to develop a plan of action for the faulty areas.

On Wednesday, engineer Myers A. Colvin of M.A. Colvin Engineering & Consulting Inc. in Fayetteville spoke to Council about the issue. He informed the Council, like city officials had previously, that the sanctuary was in generally good condition. The addition was not, said Colvin, who deemed it “structurally inadequate and a risk to public safety.”

“This would not be anything acceptable to remain, and would technically — and legally — be considered unsafe,” Colvin told Council members as he showed slide after slide of the addition. “Truly speaking, we have a situation that is not the best. I recommend that the front portion be completely demolished.”

Colvin also spoke to appearance issues with the church property that should be tended to, but Starling said it was less the appearance and more the safety issues at the property that were of concern.

“With the safety part, we’re under the gun. That is our urgency,” said Starling. “We accept that report, but we need to know when the unsafe portion can be rectified. The safety issue is what we’re concerned with, not necessarily the cosmetic. That’s where we have the urgency. Time is of the essence.”

Colvin said, to fix the addition, it would cost a significant amount of money, but could be done within two weeks. But, Fryar and Tita would be relying on volunteers to give their time to the project, they said.

The renovation of all areas of concern, Fryar has noted, “is a tremendous undertaking in the life of our small congregation.” The church’s parsonage, home to Fryar for over 30 years, was demolished independently this summer following similar safety concerns.

Fryar and Tita requested an appeal last month of an Aug. 31 order providing them 60 days (until Oct. 16) to repair or demolish the unsafe additional structure. The city has been dealing with the Barden Street property for the better part of the last year.

“We have been dealing with this for quite some time,” said Councilwoman Maxine Harris, whose District 5 is home to Last Day Gospel. “At some point, you have to draw the line in the sand. We really hold dear your feelings and your attachment to that property, but we cannot continue to extend and extend and extend.”

Last month, Tita said a more “reasonable timeframe” was needed to rectify safety concerns. She floated a possible 11-month period.

“We certainly want to work with you,” Starling said Wednesday. “I think 60 days would be reasonable. At that time, we need to have safety issues resolved.”

Tita mentioned that the 60-day period would encompass the holiday season, and would likely include some inclement weather. Pulling volunteers during that time would be difficult, she said.

“I think 60 days is as far as we can go,” the mayor responded.

“We do not want to be held liable,” said Harris. “We are not trying to be difficult to get along with, you all know I’m a giving person. But you should spend the next 60 days to try and pull your resources together.”

Councilman Marcus Becton said, with the cost that would be involved in fixing a sagging, water damaged structure, that additional structure could be torn down and money could instead be used to build a new structure or make cosmetic repairs to the sanctuary.

“Right now, we’re basically sitting in the sand spinning,” Becton said.

After even more discussion, Starling finally halted the proceedings. He asked that Colvin pull up the first slide he showed, a direct shot of the front of the two-story addition.

“That building has got to go,” the mayor said. “And on Jan. 5, I hope we have a report that it is gone.”

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.