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EDA weighs program to acquire and rehabilitate dilapidated properties
Summary
The board discussed a proposed program to buy seriously dilapidated properties, remediate or demolish blight, and resell with conditions for new construction; staff will compile a nuisance-property list and status reports and examine funding from the Hammel House payoff.
Chris Giesen reviewed a memo outlining several ideas for a home redevelopment program aimed at accelerating remediation of seriously dilapidated properties that owners can’t or won’t fix.
Under the concept discussed, the EDA would offer a ‘‘carrot’’ to owners of eligible properties—acquiring properties when owners lack capacity to remedy code violations, performing demolition or blight remediation as needed, then reselling sites with conditions that require new homes or businesses where feasible. The board identified undesignated funds from the Hammel House development agreement payoff as a possible seed for the program but did not commit funds at this meeting.
Sam Grabau reviewed the city’s nuisance-ordinance violation list and said most owners on the list were already working to resolve issues, which surprised the board and suggested the program may be needed less broadly than first thought. The EDA asked Grabau and Giesen to compile a list of potential candidate properties with status reports for further discussion. Board members Greg Schieber and Stuart Morem suggested conducting a tour of city properties to view conditions firsthand and brainstorm projects.
No formal motion or funding decision was made; the item was left for additional staff research and future discussion.
