Randy,

Here are your answers.

For whatever reason, 527 Baltimore is on the spreadsheet twice.  Obviously, we only demolished the house one time.

2.) How many houses are left to be demolished? What the address to those houses? 

 Currently, demolition is being paid for with NSP funds.  Per the NSP substantial amendment sent to HUD, we have a total of $433,847 to obligate towards residential demolition.  To date, $91,770 of this budget has been obligated/spent.  Based on the remaining budget and assuming an average demolition cost of $8,000 per property, then approximately 35-40 more properties are left to be demolished out of this funding.  All of the specific property addresses for demolition are not known until the Chief Building Official notifies the department of more demolition candidates.  He is notified of potential demolition properties by Code Enforcement staff, drive by's, or phone-in's.  The addresses that are currently in the demolition justification process (i.e. are in 20 day notice period, are being appealed, awaiting bids/title, etc) are:

3.) Have NSP funds been used to acquire homes to be rehabilitated and then resold?

Not at this time.  We are in the process of executing a contract with an Appraiser to assist in evaluation of projects and properties for acquisition.  We have been criticized in the past for poor project selection and execution.  We are changing our policies, procedures and standards to address those concerns.  In my opinion, taking the time to develop more efficient policies with safeguards is worth the delay in executing on rehab properties.  Depending on the execution date of the Appraiser’s contract, we should be ready to purchase our first properties for NSP rehab in October.  We do not have a current prospect list of properties at this time.  As we get closer to having all the pieces in place to make good decisions, we will develop those lists.

 Currently, demolition is being paid for with NSP funds.  Per the NSP substantial amendment sent to HUD, we have a total of $433,847 to obligate towards residential demolition.  To date, $91,770 of this budget has been obligated/spent.  Based on the remaining budget and assuming an average demolition cost of $8,000 per property, then approximately 35-40 more properties are left to be demolished out of this funding.  All of the specific property addresses for demolition are not known until the Chief Building Official notifies the department of more demolition candidates.  He is notified of potential demolition properties by Code Enforcement staff, drive by's, or phone-in's.  The addresses that are currently in the demolition justification process (i.e. are in 20 day notice period, are being appealed, awaiting bids/title, etc) are:   

FHA "Dollar Homes" conveyed to the City in the spring of 2006.

My Question, How come Mr. Adkins said that 17 houses have been demolished so far and that no houses had been purchased as of yet.  That seems mighty clear that no demolished houses were purchased prior to their clearance?

My friend with much HUD experience tells me that the laws of Ohio permit cities to demolish properties that are beyond repair and represent a safety hazard to the general public.  I am further told that the city has Attorney Don Imhoff to do title searches for all properties that are to be cleared.  This is to verify ownership, etc.  Lastly, he adds that to date no property demolished has been acquired first.  This is totally contradictory to City Council testimony by Ginger Smith late last year and again early in 2009.  The city has the legal right to demolish properties not meeting Ohio laws and housing codes.  The cost of CDBG and now NSP-funded demolition is placed against an owners property as a lien.  I hope this clears things up some.

Rail Fan didn't Adkins say at a recent Council meeting that in some cases they tried to give/sell the land for some of these lots after the house was demoed to a neighbor, how can the City deed the property to an abutting property owner without a title/deed?