Vigo County commissioners approved a slate of contracts to address blighted and abandoned properties, awarding work to multiple local contractors and moving to return parcels to the tax rolls.

Staff presented bids and recommended awards for 36 properties divided among several contractors. The board approved an award to JCB Excavating for $113,230 covering multiple addresses, Bell and Bell Construction for $21,900, Maguire Excavating for $15,800 and Dennis Trucking for $6,867. Commissioners also approved an $8,050 award to A and T Excavating and noted these actions are part of a broader demolition program covering roughly 46 structures with a current project total discussed at about $170,897.

Separately, the board approved a $123,972 contract to Maguire Excavating and a $21,000 contract to Duck Multi Service LLC to clean up and remediate the long-vacant Old Otter Creek School at 3212 Lynn Avenue, which staff described as unsafe, an eyesore and a dumping ground. The remediation will include soil remediation and asbestos abatement where needed prior to marketing or redevelopment.

Commissioners praised staff coordination across the auditor's office, inspection and local contractors and emphasized an intention to use local firms when possible. Staff noted they solicited 13 requests for bids and received eight responses.