City of Monmouth’s Building and Zoning Department currently has two demolition sites that are out for bid, explains Communications Director Ken Helms:
“108 West 8th Avenue and 515 North C Street. Those are funded through our Strong Communities grant that we get every year. What that is is federal and state funding that comes down to help remove buildings that pose a health hazard, different things like that. Basically, by the time we intervene, and demolish the building, it has gotten to such a point that it is not livable. We do everything we can to try and encourage a rehabilitation before it gets to that point, but sometimes that is the only option.”
Following demolition in a case like this, Helms informs a lien is placed on the lot for the cost of demolition and interested parties can talk with City officials on the acquisition of the property.