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Committee presses DNS for line‑by‑line accounting after demolition pace falls short of target
Summary
Department of Neighborhood Services reported 80 demolitions completed in 2025 (31 by DPW, 49 private) against a $3.3M appropriation and a 180‑unit target. DNS said timing, late DCD referrals and contracting cadence mean some 2025 work will carry into 2026; members requested detailed prior‑year accounting before approving new demo appropriations.
Department of Neighborhood Services officials told the committee the city completed 185 demolitions in 2024 (94 by DPW, 91 by private contractors) and has completed 80 demolitions so far in 2025 (31 DPW, 49 private). DNS reported an average DPW unit cost of about $18,000 and an average private contractor cost of about $38,000 for typical single‑ or two‑family demolitions, while noting that larger commercial or fire‑damaged sites can cost far more.
DNS said it entered $139,855 in demolition payments and currently has about $971,422 in encumbrances awaiting invoices; the department said a balance of roughly $2.19 million remained in the 2025 demolition account but cautioned that DCD referrals that arrive late in the year — and the contracting/IRI invoice cadence — can push costs into the next budget year.
Members pressed DNS for audited, line‑by‑line accounts for 2024 and 2025; committee members noted that the 2025 budget set a 180‑unit demolition goal and asked why the department achieved roughly half that pace, whether capacity or referral timing was the driver, and whether the department is adequately executing contracts. DNS said the shortfall was driven primarily by referral timing from DCD and some market/contract timing, not staffing alone, and warned that advertising, bid reviews and contract execution for privately contracted demolitions take several weeks and can push work past year end.
DNS told the committee it expects about ten more referrals in the immediate pipeline and an uncertain number more from DCD that may move into 2026. Committee members held the item and asked DNS to return with audited 2024 actuals, a full list of 2025 encumbrances and a timeline for 2026 referrals and contract awards.
Ending
The committee asked DNS and DCD to coordinate and return with detailed accounting and a revised plan showing the effects of late referrals on 2026 planning.
