Beginning a new phase in the City of Hartsville’s efforts to remove blighted residential structures in the city limits, Hartsville City Council has provided a $20,000 grant to the newly formed Hartsville Community Development Foundation for a Residential Demolition Assistance Program.Still in its planning stages, the program will offer partial funding for demolitions for those property owners interested in removing vacant and severely dilapidated houses. When the owner of an identified blighted property agrees to participate, the City of Hartsville will work with the Foundation to hire a contractor to demolish and clear away every part of the owner’s condemned structure or structures. Property owners will retain ownership of the cleared lots.
“The Hartsville Community Development Foundation is excited about the opportunity to partner with the City of Hartsville to facilitate Hartsville’s new Residential Demolition Assistance Program, which offers participating property owners much-needed financial support and, at the same time, provides the City with support it needs to streamline and expedite the processes involved,” said Curtis Lee, chair of the Hartsville Community Development Foundation.
Blighted houses create numerous hazards for the surrounding neighborhood, including a greater threat of criminal activity or fire, and reduce nearby property values as well.
The City of Hartsville has arranged demolitions of more than 25 blighted houses since 2010 after identifying hazardous houses that do not meet building codes and contacting owners. The current process, however, has frequently resulted in liens for the cost of demolition being placed on the property. By offering assistance and seeking volunteers for demolitions, the new process aims to invite more collaboration with property owners while cleaning up decayed structures in neighborhoods.
"We made a commitment to maintain a high quality of life in Hartsville,” said Mayor Mel Pennington. “It spurs investment, development, and in the end -- jobs. It's not fair for those that invest and keep up their property to have to live next to forgotten blight, owned by absentee landlords, many who are living out of town."
For more information on the Residential Demolition Assistance Program, call Adam Mathews, Special Projects Director, at (843) 639-3607.
