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City seeks federal funds to demolish eyesores

Friday, April 10, 2009
By Brian Mosely

The City of Shelbyville voted Thursday to apply for a grant for over a quarter million dollars that would go toward getting rid of blighted structures around town.

The National Stabilization Program (NSP) grant would be for $326,023 and would be given under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, also known as the first stimulus package that was signed into law by former president George W. Bush.

Codes and planning director Kip Green says his department proposes to use the grant to demolish some of the properties on the city's list of blighted structures.

According to the grant, the blighted neighborhood properties apply only in specifically defined areas of Shelbyville.

"We propose to use this as a means of demolition and clean-up of those structures most threatening the health, safety and welfare of the community," Green wrote in a memo to the city council.

Green said the grant would enable the city to purchase those properties for the purpose of demolition and/or remodeling.

There is also a stipulation in the grant that the money must be spent within 18 months.

The NSP grant would require no matching funds from the city and would allow the grantee 10 years to complete the sale of the property.

"The grant would allow us to take structures from blight and unsightly conditions in appealing residences," Green wrote.

This is how the grant would work: Shelbyville Housing and Development Association (SHDA), a non-profit established by the Shelbyville Housing Authority, would buy the cleared lot at a discounted rate.

The National Stabilization Program calls for placing a family whose financial status meet the criteria of earning 120 percent of the average median income or less.

Then, working along with Habitat for Humanity, SHDA would build a residence while helping the families acquire financing.

According to information from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, NSP funding is provided by a formula based on areas with the greatest number of home foreclosures, areas with the highest percentage of homes financed with sub-prime mortgages and areas identified as likely to face a significant rise in the rate of home foreclosures.

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Is there something wrong with making property owners comply ?

We have a city attorney who should be handed the responsibility of ensuring property owners comply.

-- Posted by BobM on Fri, Apr 10, 2009, at 9:49 AM

is this part of the economic recovery stimulus money???will the removal of the eyesores also lower the value of the properties???the tax base is lowered??can churches be started on these properties and completely remove the properties from the city/county property tax base??soon only dwelling property and business property will foot the taxpaying rolls.property owners are responsible for upkeep and payment of property tax.burden of eyesore removal is on the property owner unless courts appoint governing agencies to take the property in default of tax payment.has this happened???why should my tax money pay for eyesore removal of others properties???put the eyesore property up for auction for new owners to improve.

-- Posted by grandpat on Fri, Apr 10, 2009, at 4:13 PM

BobM,

This money will allow the city to buy outright with this stimulus money the property, it will likely be faster than going thru the normal procedures.

Grandpat,

Yeah its stimulus money, and as such it is fake, printed money American Dollars and created with more debt for our children and grandchildren.

-- Posted by Brett Favre on Sat, Apr 11, 2009, at 11:18 PM

There should be serious attempts made to refurbish and rehabilitate any "eye sores" before any demolition is done.

The owners or residents of the properties should assume whatever costs they can afford with public monies going to the indigent first.

"Remuddling" or razing a salvageable structure should be forbidden.

If possible,sound structures that are in the "wrong" place should be moved to new areas rather than being torn down.

(That would free up a site for purchase or eminent domain acquisition while allowing any structure that had been on that land to continue a useful existence.

In some cases,the buildings would be more or less intact after relocation.

In others,all that might survive would be usable salvage.)

We can remove hazards and visual blight without banishing every atom of a building to a landfill.

Proper maintenance,"makeovers" and restoration can help our buildings be safe,functional and attractive.

When an existent building can't be given new life,there should be guarantees that it won't have "died" in vain.

Whether the empty lot be landscaped or an appropriate replacement be erected,any money,time or effort should go toward making real progress and not just reckless destruction or reaping the results of bad taste and neglect.

Any public funds received should go toward defraying the costs of doing things the right way.

It shouldn't be given to subsidize a lack of care,greed,poor stewardship or irresponsibility.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Sat, Apr 11, 2009, at 11:57 PM

true, but all of these buildings are falling in upon themselves.

-- Posted by Brett Favre on Sun, Apr 12, 2009, at 4:30 PM

miss reagan?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yt1fYSAChx...

-- Posted by Brett Favre on Mon, Apr 13, 2009, at 11:15 PM