Estok Updates Knox Council on Blight Elimination Efforts

Marsh Manor on Main Street in Knox was recently torn down with money from the blight elimination grant program.
Marsh Manor on Main Street in Knox was recently torn down with money from the blight elimination grant program.

The City of Knox has successfully taken down eight dilapidated houses through a state blight elimination grant program. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday night two more are slated for demolition next week and should be down by the end of the year.

He adds the city is hoping to tear down four more houses with funds from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority. Officials have identified two houses that meet the criteria and are looking for two more abandoned and blighted houses within the Knox City limits to purchase from willing sellers. Estok hopes to wrap up the grant in the spring. He told the council taking down 14 uninhabitable houses is a significant accomplishment.