PINE BLUFF -- The owner of a partially collapsed downtown Pine Bluff building was fined $1,000 Wednesday for defying the city's orders to tear down or repair the structure after it was condemned in February.
Monticello District Judge Sara Hartness, who presided over the case after local judges asked to be recused, also sentenced Garland Trice to 30 days in jail, which she suspended on the condition Trice comply with the law.
Trice, who acted as his own attorney, said he plans to hire a lawyer and file an appeal, according to court officials.
Attempts to reach Trice for comment were unsuccessful Wednesday afternoon, although he has said before that the city's case against him holds no merit.
Trice also has said he plans to restore his Main Street building, calling it "a downtown landmark," although little work has been done.
The former Shriner's building was constructed a century ago and has been vacant for several years under Trice's ownership.
Trice's building and several others downtown have been in a state of rapid decay, with at least three other structures already fallen or partially caved in. Those buildings have been sold, and a contractor is working to tear them down.
The back of Trice's building's roof pancaked onto the third floor in July 2014, toppling part of the south side wall and leaving mounds of bricks in a dusty, red heap in the alley below.
Since then, the building has sat in much the same state, with only a minor cleanup.
Trice still will be responsible for shoring up or tearing down his building, or he could face further legal action, city officials said Wednesday.
State Desk on 08/27/2015