When to Demolish

Tearing down a blighted structure is one of the most consequential tools in a municipality’s arsenal. Used too late and too little, a block is infected with blight that can spread like a disease to nearby structures - why fix up my property if the neighborhood is going to H-E-double-hockey-sticks? Used too early and too frequently, a city can remove historical character from a neighborhood and create gaps in the streetscape that have the same effect as missing teeth in a smile.

I would propose three tests before tearing down a property.

#1 - Is the situation likely to change? Has the ownership recently transferred or is the current owner pursuing a realistic sale process? Has the owner filed for a construction permit and pursed renovations/repairs on a timely basis? Has the city had any success with intermediate enforcement steps to prod the owner along? If the answer to these questions are no, then the ugliness of this property is likely to stick around until the city forces a change.

#2 - Is there something here worth saving? Perceptions of various architectural styles have changed over the years, but some buildings have architectural value and some don’t. The same goes for buildings with historical significance. No one is going to miss a 40 year old Dollar General building, but we would all cringe at losing a Victorian or Craftsman style single family home. Construction types also have varying levels of difficulty to repairing them. A single story, raised foundation wooden house is usually easier to repair than you may think. A multiple story block building with foundation issues is tough. Depending on how long the building has lacked proper maintenance, it may be too far gone.

#3 - How detrimental is the blight to the city? Is it on a high traffic route with lots of visibility? Next door to an iconic location? Unfortunately, one high profile example of blight can lead to negative perceptions about an entire neighborhood if not a city.