After taking a tour of his district, the most financially strained district in Montgomery County, Commissioner Isaiah Sankey brought Deborah Neal into the fight against blight. This experience sparked her interest and led her to become involved in the effort to reduce blight.
Neal expressed his shock and dismay when he witnessed neighborhoods that resembled those of a third-world country. He observed boarded-up homes and dilapidated properties that people still occupied. The lack of proper sewer drainage for water runoff was also a major concern for Neal. He likened the scene to that of 50 or 60 years ago, leaving him appalled by the poor living conditions.
Having grown up in Newtown, Sankey has a profound understanding of the problem of blight in Montgomery neighborhoods. He strongly believes that the city and county should take effective measures to combat this issue.
Montgomery’s appearance is negatively impacted by approximately 800 blighted properties, as estimated by the city. However, a group of citizens is determined to bring about a positive transformation.
According to various sources, including the Public Health Post and the Manhattan Institute, blight can attract criminal activity and have negative effects on the physical and mental health of individuals living in close proximity. Additionally, blight can also have a detrimental impact on property values.
Neal is advocating for the implementation of a comprehensive revitalization plan that involves collaboration between public and private entities to tackle the issue of these properties.
According to Sankey, one possible solution to tackle this issue would be to utilize the funds allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act. Additionally, he recommended that the city should enforce existing laws to effectively deal with the problem.
An innovative idea that he proposed was to consolidate the abandoned properties into a land bank. This would provide an opportunity for interested buyers to purchase these properties and renovate them. Additionally, the city could donate the properties to non-profit organizations. Another possible use for these properties is to convert them into community gardens or pocket parks, which would serve the local community.
City initiative
Councilor Oronde Mitchell of Montgomery aims to establish the foundation for a fresh perspective.
In order to effectively tackle the issue of blight, he is pushing for the establishment of a clear and concise ordinance that outlines its definition. According to him, without a proper definition, citizens and lawmakers alike may struggle with enforcing laws and regulations regarding blight.
Advocating for a bill before the Alabama Legislature, Mitchell is pushing for the creation of a blight review board. Property owners with deteriorating properties would be required to present a plan of action to the board to address the issue. This measure aims to address blight in the area and improve the overall appearance of the community.
The issue of blight has become a major concern for Michael Jackson, the president of Bell Mead and Spring Neighborhood Association in Mitchell’s district. The presence of garbage in the area due to blight has left him feeling frustrated. Jackson has noticed that people often dispose of their unwanted items and furniture around the blighted areas, causing further problems.
Jackson expressed his concern, stating that the object in question was located in front of their community and was giving off a negative impression. According to him, it made them appear as though they were not taking care of their surroundings.
According to Kippy Tate, the chief building official of the city, the administration led by Mayor Steven Reed is currently taking measures to tackle the problem that has been neglected for years.
According to Tate, the city has implemented a phased approach to address blight, which involves demolishing various commercial properties, including the South Court Street Apartments and the Boys and Girls Club Annex. The next phase of the plan is to tackle blight at the entrance to the city, specifically at the South Boulevard and Interstate 65 intersection. This strategic location has been identified as a key area to stop blight and improve the overall appearance of the city.
According to Tate, the aim is to break free from the cycle of never-ending decay.
The North Gate Apartments have been approved for demolition by the city, but there are additional processes that must be completed before Tate can proceed with tearing them down. Specifically, federal approval must be obtained first.
In his statement, Tate expressed his strong commitment to removing blight from the city, emphasizing that he is personally invested in this cause. He stated that Detroit is his home, and he has no intention of leaving it behind, which is why he feels so strongly about making it a better place for everyone.
Heired properties
Once Neal delved deeper into the issue, he conducted thorough research and uncovered the disturbing truth that heired properties were a major predicament for communities of color. This issue arises when houses are passed down to heirs who lack the financial resources to maintain them, leading to a cascade of problems.
According to Andriette Rowell, a managing attorney for Legal Services Alabama, their organization is focused on educating individuals on how to prevent the issue of heirs property. They are striving to spread awareness regarding this matter to help people avoid facing such complications in the future. As per their efforts, it is evident that Legal Services Alabama is committed to assisting individuals with their legal concerns.
The organization has a lawyer who specializes in handling inherited properties. Additionally, they provide clinics aimed at educating individuals on the necessary steps to take to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes. Creating wills is one way to avoid leaving multiple individuals with a property inheritance.
The occurrence of such an issue can lead to a significant loss of property, which can heavily impact the generational wealth of a family.
Rowell emphasized the significance of education and firmly believes that it holds the key to success. “That’s why I just think education is the key,” he stated.
Previous Coverage: North Pass Neglect
Residents of North Pass have been pleading with city officials to address the neglect in their once-thriving neighborhood for 40 years. A recent fire has brought to light the city’s indifference towards the area, prompting renewed calls for action. For more information, check out this coverage by the Montgomery Advertiser.
Previous Coverage: Public Forum on Blighted ‘Heir Property’ Problem in Montgomery Planned for Saturday
In case you missed it, there was a public forum planned last Saturday to address the issue of blighted ‘heir property’ in Montgomery. The forum aimed to bring light to the problem and discuss potential solutions to this issue. If you are interested to know more about this topic, make sure to check out the link provided for previous coverage.
If you need to get in touch with Alex Gladden, the public safety reporter for Montgomery Advertiser, you can reach her via email at [email protected] or on Twitter at @gladlyalex.
