The Knox Board of Works has taken steps to further their blight elimination efforts.
During Wednesday morning’s meeting, public hearings were scheduled for two properties. A third property located on East Culver Road was removed from the agenda due to the property already being demolished.
The residences at 420 Maple Drive and 306 W. Smith Street, however, received unanimous approval for demolition. Knox Mayor Dennis Estok says they’ve had conversations with the owners in the past.
“This thing has sat probably for over a year,” says Estoke. “I think it’s been about a year by now. They cannot afford to rehab it and I don’t even know if it can be rehabbed.”
Identifying properties for demolition has become a semi-regular occurrence for the Knox Board of Works.
The city received a blight elimination grant to clean-up dilapidated homes identified as being a public nuisance. The board of works also voted to move forward with the demolition of the proprety on Smith Street – which was cited for displaying trash all over the property and having a lack of electricity.
The Board of Works also bid work for demolishing a property located at 202 N. Clark Street and 303 E. John Street. Jackson Trucking and Excavating was tapped for the work. John Street displayed a bid of $21-thousand for demolition.
Company Owner Harvey Jackson explained the reasons behind the high price on the John Street address.
“On that house, under that siding, there are asbestos shingles under there,” says Jackson. “That’s why the pricing, it’s not going to be over the moon, but I’ve got to hire somebody else to take all the asbestos shingles off the house.”
Because the property does not have a basement, Knox is only allowed to spend $15-thousand demolishing the structure through the grant. The Board of Works agreed to use matching funds set aside to cover the added $6-thousand expense out of their matching fund.
