Jefferson City takes aim at Capitol Ave. properties
Jefferson City leaders are moving forward with their case against a downtown property owner.
The neighborhood around E. Capitol Ave. has several eyesores. A lot of the buildings have “no tresspassing” stamped on the front door because they are just too run down and not up to city code.
It’s been that way for months and city officials and residents in the neighborhood say something needs to change.”
Resident David Wilson said, “There’s a lot of traffic that comes through here and it just makes a heck of a difference if it looks clean.”
Some residents are upset they have to live in what looks like,as one described it, a neighborhood of haunted houses.
“Either the owner should sell the properties and and have something done with them because they’re just sittin’ here, or the city should just come in, take it, and put it on the auction block,” Wilson reasoned.
The city is moving forward along those lines by filing a lawsuit against the property owner.
Mayor Carrie Tergin said “To see a grand area of our city within walking distance to the state capitol, and to see that it’s fallen into such complete disrepair is just really terrible for our city.”
Right now, the city government is working with an agency to conduct an economic blight study. The results will tell planners just how far gone the properties are. Then the city will use that information to build their case against the owner.
“it may not alway be the route that you want to take,” said Mayor Tergin, “but in this case, it is pretty extreme and it’s a route that needs to be looked at.”
Mayor Tergin said it’s not her goal to see the buildings torn down, but instead refurbished, if possible. However, she tells ABC 17 News time is running out on that option.
“Everyday that they’re allowed to become falling into more disrepair and under the weather and the elements that they are. So, it’s defintely important that we act within as quickly as we possibly can under what the law allows,” she said.
ABC 17 News contacted the owner of the properties this afternoon, but she declined to comment.
The results of the blight study are expected to arrive in early June.
