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Robbins moves forward on demolition of more than 100 abandoned homes; village to buy equipment
Summary
Mayor Darren E. Bryant said Robbins has begun demolition work on Homan Ave as part of a program to remove more than 100 abandoned homes and is purchasing its own equipment to complete work by spring 2023; Public Works said the first two houses were demolished and MWRD will handle some material disposal.
Mayor Darren E. Bryant told the Village of Robbins board on Nov. 22 that demolition work has begun on Homan Avenue as part of an effort to address more than 100 abandoned properties in the village.
Bryant said Gerald Steward and Corey Baker are leading the project and that the village is moving toward self-sufficiency by purchasing its own demolition equipment. He said printed reports presented to the board summarized prior demolition spending and that the program’s completion is slated for spring 2023.
Mr. Baker of Public Works reported that the first two homes have already been demolished and that, once demolition begins on a lot, it will be backfilled and trucks will be unloading dirt on the property. He told the board that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will be dumping material connected to demolition work and that residents should not be alarmed when they see trucks or dumping activity.
The board’s public-works update also covered a recently repaired water-main break at 135th and Crawford and operational notices: residents with rodent problems are instructed to notify the village via the website, robocall signup is available for emergency and service alerts, and snowplows are being readied for winter.
Why it matters: Removing long-vacant and blighted properties can reduce neighborhood blight and public-safety risks; the mayor framed the equipment purchase as a way for Robbins to perform more demolition work without hiring outside contractors.
The meeting record includes no vote or ordinance specifically authorizing the demolition budget line in public minutes; the mayor referred to reported past spending and provided a projected completion date. The board did not adopt a new appropriation or change to a budget line in the minutes presented at this meeting.
