The city of Columbus has been awarded a grant to demolish unsafe and abandoned buildings throughout the city. Robin Hilber is the city’s Community Development Programs Coordinator…

Hilber says that Columbus had to put up some matching funds to receive the grant, which brings the total to $760,000 to spend towards blight elimination efforts. She explains that the properties have been condemned by the city…

In addition, Hilber says that the bids to demolish three more buildings are being opened during Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety…

Those bids are expected to be awarded next week.

Hilber says that city staff has worked with property owners over the past nine months to get this program going, noting that an additional nine houses have been identified to be demolished by late spring. All owners have consented to being included in this program, which Hilber explains pays the owners a small amount of money, minus any outstanding property taxes. Once the property is cleared, Hilber says it may be given to a non-profit group or neighboring property owner.

Hilber adds that any property owners who may be interested in this program are encouraged to contact her or Fred Barnett, Code Enforcement Officer, at the city’s Department of Community Development.