Long-term efforts by the City of Knox to buy up available land in Parkview Heights took a step forward Tuesday. The city council authorized the purchase of a tax lien certificate, at the request of Mayor Dennis Estok. “It’s a property down in Parkview Heights that went through the tax sale,” he explained. “Nobody bought it. It’s a burned-out house. We did get the owners of that to clean the house up. They did leave the foundation and all that. They have no intentions of redeeming the property through the tax sale, and that’s where the county can transfer it. We can buy it for $35 off the certificate sale.”
More Unsafe Properties Identified in Knox
Paperwork will begin on the legal process on unsafe properties identified in the Parkview Heights area in Knox and in the downtown area.
Demolition Planned for 202 North Pearl Street, As Part of Knox Blight Elimination Effort
The City of Knox is adding another house to its blight elimination effort. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday the owner of 202 North Pearl Street has agreed to sell the home to the city for eventual demolition. Continue reading
Knox Houses Slated for Demolition With Blight Elimination Funds
The City of Knox will be able to tear down two more blighted houses. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday night they’ve received an additional $36,000 from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority. Continue reading
Knox Board of Works Affirms Demolition Order, Levies Special Assessment
The Knox Board of Works last week affirmed a demolition order for a vacant house and took steps to acquire a second blighted structure. Continue reading
House Demolished With Blight Elimination Grant Funds
A house in Parkview Heights has been reduced to rubble as part of the City of Knox blight elimination initiative. Continue reading
Knox Schedules First Blight Elimination Demolition
The City of Knox is finally ready to tear down the first of eight houses slated for demolition through the blight elimination grant program. The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority requires the first demolition be documented as part of the grant process. Continue reading
Knox Mayor to Host Town Hall Meeting Monday
Knox residents will have the chance to share their ideas and concerns with city officials next week. Mayor Dennis Estok will be holding a town hall meeting at 6:00 p.m. Monday at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Continue reading
Parkview Heights Rehabilitation on Mayor’s Radar
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok wants to revive a once proud Knox neighborhood. Parkview Heights was built in 1941 by the Federal Works Agency Division of Defense as worker housing for employees of the Kingsbury Ordinance Plant. During World War II the LaPorte County site was one of the largest shell-loading plants in the nation. Continue reading
Knox Mayor, Officials Take Oath of Office
![Dennis Estok [right] takes oath of office](https://wkvi.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20151230_1742471-e1451544938902-300x247.jpg)
Knox Official Explains Aspects of Blight Elimination Program Grant
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers is attempting to clear misinformation that residents have received concerning the homes that are part of the Blight Elimination Program Grant.
If a property owner is not interested in being a part of this program, that person can opt out of consideration. The city is not forcing anyone to sell or vacate a property, according to Mayor Chambers.
He explained that five homes were added to a list of proposed homes for demolition, but those have since been removed from the list.
Knox Council Passes on Parkview Lot Purchase
The Knox City Council is passing for now on the purchase of a property in Parkview Heights. The owner of 406 W. Giles Court, Lot 41 offered the lot and trailer and shed that sit on it to the city for $3,500. That’s $1,000 less than her last offer.
Mayor Rick Chambers says funds from the Blight Elimination Grant the city received to buy and tear down dilapidated structures cannot be used to buy or demolish mobile homes. He also notes the city only paid $1,500 for eight vacant lots in Parkview. Continue reading
Knox City Council Approves Grant Match for Blight Elimination Program Grant
The Knox City Council approved a 10 percent match to attempt to get a grant to rid the city of some unsafe homes.
It’s part of the Blight Elimination Program which would assist the city in purchasing homes that are listed as unsafe and blighted and demolish them. The majority of the homes that would be considered for this grant are in the Parkview Heights area.
Knox City Council Discusses Property Acquisitions
The Knox City Council agreed to wait on a request to acquire a property in Parkview Heights.
Mayor Rick Chambers got a call from a resident who stated she inherited a trailer from her father’s estate and she moved into it but no longer wants it. She wants to sell the trailer and then Relocate to Miami.
City of Knox Pursuing “Hardest Hit” Grant for Parkview
The Knox City Council this week approved the purchase of five lots in Parkview Heights, each of which was up for tax sale in the county but, because it was up for tax sale previously and did not sell, the city was able to purchase the properties for $35 each from the county. The city has acquired more than a dozen properties in the neighborhood, and Mayor Rick Chambers said the city is looking into options as far as what they can do to improve Parkview Heights and make it a safer place to live.
Knox Council Approves Purchase of Parkview Lots
The Knox City Council this week approved a resolution purchasing five lots in Parkview Heights. City attorney David Matsey said the county has already approved a resolution and this resolution for the city is strongly based on the county’s version.
The properties the city will acquire in Parkview are located at 322 Spruce Street , 424 and 426 Maple Street, and a parcel on Clark Street. The Spruce Street house is actually located on two lots. The parcels will be purchased for a cost of $35 per property, and the city council has expressed interest in using those properties – and other properties in Parkview Heights that the city has acquired over the years – to benefit the city.
The council approved a motion purchasing the lots.
Knox City Council Approves Purchase of Property in Parkview
The Knox City Council approved the purchase of a property in the Parkview Heights area.
The Council purchased property at 404 Giles Court. On the property is a 1950’s-type trailer, and the owner, James Landrum, offered to sell it to the city for $2,000.00. Mayor Rick Chambers said on top of the purchase price the council would need to figure the cost of cleaning up the property.
