The City of Knox has four houses ready for demolition as part of their blight elimination grant process. Sewer and water lines to all four properties have been capped, and NIPSCO has disconnected utilities.
Mayor Dennis Estok told the Board of Works on Wednesday the necessary paperwork has been submitted to the state, and officials have signed documents with the demolition contractor. The next step is to schedule a demolition demonstration in accordance with the grant requirements. No timeline for doing so has been offered.
City officials have identified another four houses as part of the program but have not been approved yet by the state. Estok says contact with the program administrator is minimal and emails and telephone calls have not been acknowledged or returned.
The city has until August to wrap up the grant unless an additional extension is approved.
