Alabama’s second largest city stepped forward Tuesday in its fight against blight in the heart of downtown, adopting an ordinance that creates Mobile’s first registry for empty buildings.

In a 5-1 vote, the Mobile City Council approved the vacant property ordinance for commercial structures within the Henry Aaron Loop . The area is defined by a boundary that includes properties south and west of Beauregard Street and areas marked by Broad, Canal and Water streets.

The decision capped three months of debate and revisions over a system city officials hope will pressure long-time property holders to revive empty storefronts that have lingered in downtown Mobile for years.

“There was a lot of give and take to get to this point, but that’s what meaningful legislation often requires,” Mobil

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