City to seek judicial review of home demolitions

Columbus city officials will be turning to a judicial review before tearing down any abandoned or derelict houses in the city.

Mayor Jim Lienhoop campaigned last year on a promise to make sure that a homeowner would be contacted before tearing down any property, after the previous administration razed a home without talking to the owner.

Lienhoop said that after talking with the city attorney, the city is now asking for help from the Bartholomew County judicial system to make sure there is one last look at the case file before a building is torn down.

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After the judicial review, the removal project would then go to the Board of Public Works and Safety for a final approval.

The mayor said the city is moving toward demolition of a house on 12th Street and after that process concludes successfully, more are slated for removal.