City advances in effort to remediate abandoned properties

The city recently published its revised list of Abandoned Properties. The city removed several properties from the prior list and added several new properties. The city removes items from the list when owners demonstrate that the property is not “abandoned” as defined by the city’s ordinance or when owners take sufficient steps towards rehabilitation of the property. The current city administration enacted the Abandoned Property Rehabilitation shortly after taking office in an effort to eliminate blight and to increase the aesthetic and economic value of all properties within the city.

The revised list appears below. The city has notified these owners that unless they rehabilitate their properties, the city will have no alternative but to proceed with its own plan to have the properties rehabilitated at the owner’s expense.

The Public Officer’s “Notice of Determination” attaches to the county’s property record for each property on the list. The notice stays on file until the property is rehabilitated. Under the law, the city has the authority to repair, demolish or develop these properties or to hire a rehabilitation entity to do the work. When the work is completed, the city can sell the property and reimburse the owner after deducting all costs for rehabilitation. The city can also apply to the Superior Court to take these properties under eminent domain if necessary.

Offending property owners can appeal the city’s determination. Once the initial appeals are exhausted, the city may commence lawsuits against the owners and take the next steps in accordance with law. The city will file its lawsuits in order of severity and will use all available resources to ensure that the properties are rehabilitated.

Abandoned Properties List

Earlier Press Release