[StBernard] Parish takes new approach to fight blight
Westley Annis
westley at da-parish.com
Sat Nov 1 08:33:39 EDT 2008
Parish takes new approach to fight blight
CHALMETTE, La. -- St. Bernard Parish is taking an unusual approach to
cleaning up blight more than three years after Hurricane Katrina.
The "Building a Week" program aims to raze one derelict business a week in
hopes of spurring greater investment and giving residents more tangible
signs of recovery.
Parish President Craig Taffaro says the demolitions are being done in-house
at an estimated cost of $1,000 to $2,000. He says costs may not be
reimbursed by the federal government but that the parish sees it as a wise
investment. He says liens will be placed on properties razed.
While the program's still new, he says it has had positive results. He
points to one business getting a permit for repair work after being targeted
for demolition.
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