DNS: 80 properties demolished YTD; 2025 demolition budget $3.3M with carryover questions

Jumaane Cheatham, Department of Neighborhood Services, updated the committee on the condemnation and demolition program. He said 80 properties have been demolished year to date — 49 by private contractors and 31 by DPW demo crews — and that the department has prepared three bid packages in 2025 totaling 21 parcels with another package planned for November and likely one more in December.

Cheatham reported 46 restoration agreements in place where owners are returning condemned properties to productive use; 75 new properties were condemned in 2025, mostly for blight and fire. He told the committee the 2025 demolition budget was $3.3 million and that encumbrances and expenses appear to total about $1.1 million to date. The department said the average DPW demolition for one- to four-family properties is roughly $18,000; commercial and mixed-use demolitions can be much higher.

Committee members questioned whether the budget and workplan matched actual demolitions and whether a carryover was appropriate; staff said carryover exists and they would provide detailed figures to the committee. The committee asked for a clearer breakdown of private vs. city-owned properties slated for demolition and requested a follow-up at the Zoning & Development committee.