City seeks to strengthen efforts to address vacant and abandoned buildings
(July 2, 2013) - Oklahoma City Council today directed staff to act on study recommendations that address the City’s growing vacant and abandoned building problem. The study revealed that there are 12,000 vacant and abandoned buildings scattered throughout the City.
According to the Census Bureau, the number of long-term vacant housing units in the City grew by 25 percent between 2000 and 2010, twice the rate of the normal housing growth.
“Vacant and abandoned homes cause a variety of problems for both residents and the City,” Planning Director Russell Claus said. “These neglected buildings strain the City’s resources, lower property values, hamper community reinvestment and infringe on neighboring property owner’s rights.”
According to the study, vacant and abandoned buildings can reduce the value of neighboring homes by 12 to 29 percent, resulting in an estimated $2.7 billion reduction in real estate value city-wide. They generate little revenue from property or sales tax, while requiring disproportionate City services through police, fire, animal welfare and code enforcement.
“Oklahoma City spends approximately $6.5 million annually to respond to the extra fire and police calls that these buildings generate,” Claus added.
The study recommends implementing a comprehensive program that includes a combination of enforcement measures, penalties and rewards. An effective program will likely require changes to state laws that will allow the City to impose liens on problem properties, recover cost and enable the City to return these properties to productive use.
Bookmarks