A program funded by more than $1 million in federal stimulus money is focused on removing some of the region's most blighted properties to improve health and safety and increase neighboring home values.
The three-year Neighborhood Stabilization Program also gives owners of dilapidated homes that are beyond repair the chance to have the structures demolished and the lots cleared for free.
"A lot of people just do not have the money or resources to have their properties demolished, but this program takes care of demolishing and removing the structure completely, as well as re-seeding the lot, at no charge to the owner," explained Emily Stewart, assistant planner with Washington-Morgan Community Action, which is administering the federal grant on behalf of the city of Marietta.
She said Marietta is the grantee for $1,065,000 that will be budgeted over three years among Washington, Morgan, Athens, Perry and Hocking counties for blighted property removal to improve neighborhoods.
In Marietta, the engineering and development departments provided a list of 25 to 30 of the city's most blighted properties from which Stewart has obtained at least 14 consents for demolition.
"These are properties that are beyond repair," she said. "One, at 603 Virginia St., has the entire roof missing. The neighbors are glad to see these kinds of structures go."
Kerry Westermeyer with McCarthy Real Estate, who has a commercial lot listed for sale in the 500 block of Virginia Street, says the program is a great idea.
"Anything that's done to clean up blighted properties is good," she said.
Westermeyer noted that the roofless home at 603 Virginia sits next door to a group of condominiums where she once had a listing.
"People often did comment about that house," she said.
Wayne Rinehart, with the city engineering department, said more blighted properties are being added to the original list.
"These properties are pretty bad; often everything inside is covered with mold and mildew," he said. "And we've been working to get several of these torn down for some time."
Rinehart said the Neighborhood Stabilization Program makes it easier on the property owner and the city.
"We now have some money to do this blight removal, and we don't have to go to council to appropriate money to do it," he said. "And if property owners know they don't have to pay for it, they're more willing to have the demolition done."
Of the 14 properties for which Stewart has obtained consent for demolition, eight are located within the city's two historic districts. Two of those are in the historic Marietta district, and six are located in the Harmar district.
The Ohio Historical Society will have to be contacted with information about those homes before the properties can be demolished, Stewart said.
"We have to take photos of the properties and send them, along with other information, to the historical society in Columbus, then they determine if the properties have historical significance," she said.
A public meeting, required by law for properties located within historic districts, will give residents an opportunity to comment on the planned demolitions. The session is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Gilman United Methodist Church, 312 Gilman Ave.
Owners of blighted properties who may be interested in participating in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program can also contact Stewart at 373-3745, ext. 309.
