DEMOLITION PROGRAM CONTINUES; OTHER BUILDINGS IMPROVED TO MINIMUM STANDARDS

Twelve buildings have been demolished so far this fiscal year, and several others are being rehabilitated under Cape Girardeau's effort to rid the city of dangerous and dilapidated structures.

Since July 1, the city has demolished six condemned buildings while property owners knocked down another six.

"We've cleaned up quite a few buildings throughout the city," said Stephen S. Williams, the city's housing assistance coordinator.

Another five structures are under contract to be demolished by the city. Removal will start when utilities are disconnected.

Those properties: 529 S. Frederick St., 917 Good Hope St., 906 S. Sprigg St., 724 Jefferson Ave. and 1023 S. Pacific St.

When that contract is completed, at a cost of $30,800, more buildings will be added to the removal schedule.

Demolishing dilapidated or dangerous buildings is the culmination of a condemnation process that can take up to six months.

Along the way, the city strives to insure owners the due process of hearings, as well as every opportunity to bring their property up to minimum standards.

That option, Wilson said, is preferable to razing buildings.

"It is much more desirable to have property in service," he said.

Since July, nine property owners have or are in the process of rehabilitating buildings on the condemned list.

"A lot of them take care of themselves as they go through the process," Wilson said. "That's what we want."

One of those is the old Teen Challenge Thrift Store at 6 N. Sprigg St., which was largely gutted by fire earlier this year. The property has new owners, who plan to rebuild on the remains.

Another site on the condemned list is the old St. Francis Hospital at 801 Good Hope St. Wilson said it is being considered for development, though there are no firm plans.

Only when an owner of condemned property either can't be found, refuses to make improvements or won't remove a building does the city step in.

If the city takes this step, it files a tax bill against the property. The bill, which in effect is a lien against the property, is for the city's actual cost of demolition, plus 8 percent annual interest.

The condemnation process, Wilson said, serves an important public safety and health function and provides a mechanism to remove community eyesores.

"Whenever any building is removed, updated or repaired, the whole town benefits," he said.