ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — The sugar white beaches of Pleasure Island have been the main attraction since the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach became municipalities.

But storm-torn buildings and parking lots left behind after Hurricane Ivan in 2005 have become an eyesore. Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon took a step at a March 31 council meeting to have a handful of properties declared public nuisances.

“We’ve been on a tear trying to clean up the beach,” Kennon said.

He believes the vacated and dilapidated properties have sat long enough and is taking action to get owners to clean up their land. All commercial properties, those declared as public nuisances last night, are beachfront along Perdido Beach Boulevard.

Code Enforcement Officer Chuck Smith said he sent out 27 certified nuisance letters and received 21 responses. Those who didn’t respond to the letter landed a spot on the list. Crystal Beach, Windemere Condos and Indigo Blue, which was once Sapphire Beach, made the list.

Owners of ravaged condominiums and lots full of debris received notice of the need to improve their property and some have already begun contracting for work. Royal Romar Dunes, Charter Landing and Days Inn owners are already taking action to shape up their lots.

However, some did not respond and Kennon said the city will work at the property owners’ cost to clear the lot. If properties like Against the Wind, which Smith cited being in the worst condition, are not cleared or repaired, the city will begin to clear the lots with public works employees.

“Essentially it’s going to cost us a minimum, we will just be keeping our personnel busy,” Kennon said.

Work will be done during downtime for the employees.

“We’ll send a bill to the property owner and if they don’t respond we’ll put a tax lien on their property,” Smith said.

Smith said some owners have been hard to contact because the properties have fallen to foreclosure and are owned by banks.

Councilwoman Joni Blalock insisted adding Caribe Village, a once high-priced gated community, to the list. The village was devastated by Hurricane Ivan and has been empty since 2004. Its houses appear untouched since the storm — with broken windows and wild animals occupying it.

Caribe Village would not be declared a nuisance last night, however, the city will pursue the development and go through the required motions to do so.