Judge awards Jefferson City ownership of two blighted homes

The Jefferson City Housing Authority became the owners of the properties at 101 and 105 Jackson Street Wednesday, according to Mayor Carrie Tergin.

“Now there’s a chance for revitalization,” Tergin said.

Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ordered the transfer Monday after over a year of litigation.

According to a blight study paid for by the city, the homes were among others that had fallen apart over time.

“These homes have been deteriorating for decades,” Tergin said. ” “The next steps are really for revitalization.”

The housing authority will evaluate the homes next week and then decide whether or not to offer them to redevelopers. The city plans to sell the properties to owners who promise to fix the issues while preserving the buildings’ historical significance.

The two Jackson St. properties were both registered as abandoned by the city.

Out of all 108 abandoned properties in Jefferson City, Buescher is the listed owner for 27, or 25% of the homes.

Buescher denied to comment earlier this week.