The City of Daphne is moving forward with plans to demolish two buildings along U.S. 98 as part of an effort to combat blight in the area.

City council approved the demolition of a property located at 29017 Highway 98, which is where a Taco Bell location used to reside, due to what the city described as "ongoing complaints of an attractive nuisance/abandoned building," with the building itself also being deemed dangerous.

The old Taco Bell building, which has not had a business license since 2019, has sat empty along Highway 98. Weeds have grown around the building, its windows are boarded up and its roof is collapsing, according to Public Works Director Bobby Purvis.

City council also approved an extension for the demolition of the neighboring building, the former site of Quincy's, which has been the subject of graffiti and homeless encampments. Although the building had already been approved for demolition, City Council approved an extension allowing the work to be completed by Dec. 31.

The two ordinances passed by city council make it so that both buildings can be torn down at the same time. What could eventually replace the two buildings remains uncertain at this time.