No one wants to live next to an empty or abandoned building, Florence City Councilman Mel Carroll said.
A new grant program is intended to help address abandoned and blighted real estate through the facilitation of demolition for redevelopment purposes.
“We have, from time to time, throughout the city, abandoned buildings and structures,” Carroll said. “This is the type of thing that would help.”
The Florence City Council approved an ordinance to provide financial assistance to qualified property owners — the assistance takes the form of reimbursement of documented demolition costs up to $10,000.
Beyond that initial amount, the city will match one-half of the total demolition cost, with the city’s maximum out-of-pocket limit set at $40,000. An eligible owner is defined as an owner of real estate within the city improving property, according to the ordinance.
A blighted or abandoned building is defined as the primary building on a parcel of real estate that is in a dilapidated, unsafe and unsightly condition.
Redevelopment resulting from the demolition can lead to increased revenue, job creation, decreased blight and enhanced property tax value, according to the ordinance.
The grant can be applied to address residential and commercial properties, officials said.
“As long as the structure is the primary structure within the property boundary,” Florence Business and Community Development Director Josh Hunt said.
Click here to view the ordinance.