With over $3 million awarded since August 2014 to Kokomo for its Blight Elimination Program, city officials and local contractors are working to raze many of the city’s most dilapidated structures.
The most recent work continued Wednesday at 614 N. Delphos St., where workers from Merritt’s Truck and Auto Repair -- which was awarded 17 contracts last month through the program – demolished a blighted house.
Ultimately, a minimum of 148 houses are expected to be razed through September 2016. According to state estimates, the grant money will allow Kokomo to raze the properties at maximum costs of $15,000 per non-basement property and $25,000 per basement property. So far, city officials have secured ownership of 96 properties for the program, according to city development specialist David Tharp.
Property owners dealing with blighted houses are encouraged to contact the city about potential demolition, said city development specialist David Tharp. In addition to the BEP, the city recently announced plans to utilize $40,000 of its annual Community Development Block Grant for the demolition and clearance of abandoned and unsafe structures.
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