City Update on Anti-Blight Strategies
Anti-Blight Special Fund – The Council passed
an amendment to the Anti-Blight Ordinance on November 28th that establishes an Anti-Blight
Special Fund for the purpose of providing a source of funds for the City to use
in securing and remediating blighted properties and in enforcing the provisions
of the Anti-Blight Ordinance. All monies collected as fines, penalties, or liens
as a result of violations under the Anti-Blight Ordinance will be deposited into
the Special Fund, a permanent revolving account, which shall be administered by
the City’s Director of Development Services. The funds will be used exclusively
for anti-blight activities.
The City has also completed a survey of most of the City's Housing stock and building and about 575 properties have been identified as abandoned properties, many of which might need anti-blight actions. A special meeting will be held by Mayor Segarra on December 15th to update community leaders and other officials about the status of the city's anti blight efforts and sustainable communities efforts. Updates will include the City's recruitment and hiring of additional city inspectors, corporation counsel and neighborhood district coordinators to address anti-blight strategies