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Building official urges use of CDBG reprogramming funds for emergency demolition of blighted properties
Summary
Dan Foley, the city's building official, asked the committee to reallocate funds to enable emergency demolition of severely blighted properties, citing several examples and options for reuse after demolition.
Dan Foley, building official and code-enforcement supervisor, told the committee he had identified a set of severely blighted properties that could be candidates for emergency demolition and said he sought reprogrammed funds to cover demolition and remediation costs.
Foley provided examples of properties that generate repeated complaints and are being used for illegal activity; he cited 177 Central Avenue as one example and discussed a long-vacant property on Laurel Hill. He said owners are sometimes deceased and estates are not accepting responsibility, which complicates enforcement and leaves the city to consider demolition when properties become unsafe.
Foley described several post-demolition options for city-owned lots: sale for redevelopment, transfer to adjacent neighbors or community groups, use as a community garden, or conversion to parking to support nearby businesses. Foley and committee members also discussed the constraints that accompany certain federal funding sources: if federal hazard mitigation or acquisition funds are used, properties within mapped floodplains may be converted to open space and not be eligible for redevelopment for a period.
On caseload and process, Foley said the city had recently issued orders on at least five properties and that the department receives regular complaints. He described the city's practice of doing emergency demolition when properties are imminently dangerous and placing a lien on the property to recapture costs when possible. Committee members asked about partnerships with nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity; Foley said nonprofits can be limited because of tax-assessment treatment of gifted, blighted properties and that the city is exploring tax incentives and other approaches to encourage redevelopment.
Committee deliberations later included a recommendation to fund demolition work at a level the committee considered reasonable for an initial allocation.
