Auburn will use its remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties within the city.
City Council voted on Thursday to allocate $46,265.04 to the demolition and clean up of properties owned by the city that can’t be saved. Speaking on FLX Morning with Ted Baker, City Clerk Chuck Mason said the houses, taken by the city in foreclosure, are too dilapidated to be sold so demolishing them prevents them from remaining a blight to their neighborhoods.
“It really helps these particular neighborhoods that these properties sit in to take care of the blight in these neighborhoods. Usually, it’s these one houses that are bringing the whole entire neighborhood down.”
Mason added that the lots will then either be sold off or put up for auction.
On August 19, 2021, $340,000 of ARPA funding was authorized to establish a five-year Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to address abandoned and deteriorated properties. To date, the City Code Enforcement, Planning Department, and Engineering Departments have already identified and demolished seven properties: 6 Barber Street, 7 Church Street, 42 Jefferson Street, 25 Holley Street, 103 Seymour Street, 58 Frances Street, and 200 State Street. Additionally, 15 Bradford Street is in the process of being demolished.
In 2021, Auburn received $21,395,055 in ARPA funds.
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