Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Lakemore police say man killed his wife in standoff
Suspect in Lakemore standoff expected to recover
Police raid Akron gaming parlor
Storm could bring heavy snow tonight, Saturday; Parking bans in effect
Palin says she's been exploited by Couric and Fey
Suspected meth lab busted in Cuyahoga Falls
Akron bridge closed for emergency
Browns' Mangini brings experience
Blogs:
Akron Law Café:
College Football is Un-American
The Heldenfiles:
Cheryl Holdridge, R.I.P.
Tribe Matters:
Shapiro puts Indians in position to win
Patrick McManamon:
Cavs vs. Celtics — live as it happens
Browns Bulletin:
Browns may interview ex-Broncos GM
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini takes command
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs vs. Celtics
CavsHQ: A Fan's View:
The Countdown Begins - Cavs v. Celtics
Akron Zips:
Five things you should know about Miami
Varsity Letters:
Ignatius’ Kyle has busy offseason
Kent State Sports:
Volleyball players earn All-Academic honors
Car Chase:
January is auction time
See Jane Style:
Chicago Chic?
All Da King's Men:
Obama's Economic News Conference
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Why Israeli Leaders Terrorize Palestinians
HRLite House:
The Psychology Channel, Interesting Videos, Jobs in I-O, and Happy Birthday Elvis
Akron Gamer:
Games in '09: Resident Evil 5
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Does Ohio have an Andy Warhol Museum?
Sound Check:
Axl Rose speaks on Guns & Rose(s)
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Extended
Summit County targets the fallout from abandoned houses
Published on Thursday, Nov 20, 2008
Thus, plans for an Abandoned and Vacant Property Task Force in Summit County are crucial. Neighbors face depreciation of their own properties near abandoned houses and overgrown yards. In addition, they live with the risk of vacant properties becoming magnets for vandalism and other crimes. For local governments, the cost of foreclosures is equally steep, from loss of property-tax revenues to the expense of securing and maintaining vacated properties. The price tag to Cleveland and several other Ohio cities in 2006 for a range of services, including mowing lawns and boarding up some 25,000 properties was estimated at about $63 million.
During the next six months, the task force will identify properties that are vacant, thus providing a clearer view of the extent and severity of the problem. The group also will recommend best practices to reduce the blight created by abandoned lots. Meanwhile, the county is pressing ahead with a program that will use a federal grant to buy, salvage and sell some abandoned properties, raze those that are too far gone and bank the land for future use.
The concerted effort should help ease the sense of helplessness in neighborhoods struggling to maintain a grip on the value of their homes.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments