COLUMBUS, Ind. — The city of Columbus has announced plans to raze three blighted homes this week. Money from a 2014 Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority will be used to fund the project. The properties are located in the downtown area of Columbus.
The Blight Elimination Program (BEP) is used to prepare properties that have fallen into extreme disrepair for redevelopment. Blighted properties can become targets of criminal activity, are subject to vandals, squatters, and health hazards, plus they have a negative impact on property values.
City officials have been working with the property owners for about nine months and have permission to proceed. The city has an additional nine properties that are scheduled for demolition by late spring.
