Money targets dilapidated homes in Marietta
By Sam Shawver, sshawver@mariettatimes.comArticle Photos
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.
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concernedpatriot
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08-26-09 7:40 AM
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Yeah, start with the armory!
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DevilsAdvocate
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08-26-09 12:09 AM
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"A program funded by more than $1 million", that means once again the govt takes from us deciding they know best on how to spend our hard earned dollars~ How many of you really want your tax dollars paying for someone elses crap to be torn down for their refusal to part with THEIR money on tearing down THEIR property. I need a new car, will someone volunteer to give me money so that I don't have to spend my own to get a new car? Oh yea, we have... Thanks O, Nance & Harry! Let me keep my money and spend it how I see fit, I am tired of funding the unemployed, illegal and entitlement generation. I am curious to know how many of these properties are owned by those in our own local government and respected circles...
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rikrab
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08-25-09 6:52 PM
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Where the list of the 14 properties so I can see how many are owned by the same person? ****washingtoncountyauditor.us/PropertySearch
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Roscoe
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08-25-09 6:28 PM
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Man I'm gonna hurl..........
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rikrab
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08-25-09 6:13 PM
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Another Government reward for failures program. Line up slum lords for your free money. Why spend your money when we have free tax payer money. Blank checks anyone?
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OhioResident
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08-25-09 5:46 PM
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I would love to see that dilapidated empty building on Greene Street torn down. That place is a disaster waiting to happen. Tear it down, seed some grass...just get the job done!!
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Marietta1788
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08-25-09 4:56 PM
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By the time the OHS responds you'll be able to kiss your funds goodbye. Why not use the local resources to determine if an old building has value? Wash. Co. Historical Society and/or the WCPLIB History Library and Nancy Hoy should be consulted.
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MariettaGuy
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08-25-09 2:47 PM
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Everyone is human and makes mistakes. Give them a break.
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armybrat
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08-25-09 1:06 PM
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To many of these old homes need torn down and more homes built. Even if it is condos, at least it will be an improvement on what is currently on the properties. These old homes have to have constant maintenance or they fall in such disrepair that no on can afford to remodel the old homes. If a person figures it right, you don't own a house, it owns you.
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wildflower
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08-25-09 11:08 AM
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this should beautify Marietta. Watch the old homes disappear and more condo's go up.
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smokehouse
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08-25-09 9:40 AM
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Lets hope the McClure property on Third St. is one of the properties on the list. The city has been draging their feet on this for THREE YEARS.
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margaret
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08-25-09 9:21 AM
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Now that wasn't too difficult was it, money is an easy word to spell!
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margaret
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08-25-09 9:03 AM
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What is mney? Another failure to proof read?
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