Cedartown completes clearing of first nuisance properties on list
by Staff reports
May 29, 2009 | 783 views | 3 3 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend | print
A burned out shell was all that remained of this house at 120 Jackson St. The house, which burned in 2004, was taken down Wednesday.
view slideshow (4 images)



The City of Cedartown Wednesday completed the process of clearing away two structures that had been declared nuisance properties.

An old church at 926 Davenport St. -- a wood-framed building that had collapsed in past years -- was cleared away Wednesday morning. The city was given authority to demolish the property, by court order, in February 2007.

Next to go was the standing shell of a house largely destroyed by fire in 2004. The property, at 120 Jackson St., is now an empty lot.

Cedartown City Manager Charles Akridge said the total cost of the demolition and clearing work comes to around $1,500. That covers the cost of city labor, fuel and equipment.

Akridge said the city will take out liens against the property. What often happens in such cases is that the property owners will transfer ownership of the property to the city, he noted.

Additional nuisance properties are expected to be targeted this year as part of a renewed effort to beautify the city. City officials have also noted that such abandoned properties can house vermin, such as rats, and can also become centers of criminal activity.

For an related, earlier story, see link.

Share This Article |
similar stories

Dilapidated church building cleared; burned house is next on list | 15 months ago

City discusses neglected and foreclosed homes at City Commission meeting | 3 months ago

Neglected Chestnut St. property abated | 11 months ago

Cedartown no longer picks up old furniture | 21 months ago

Cedartown to begin demolition of condemned properties next week | 15 months ago

comments (3)
« AzaleaLover wrote on Sunday, May 31 at 01:01 PM »
Oops. Re-read the article, and saw that the City takes out a lien on the property, so the property owner must pay the bill before s/he can sell the property. Also saw that the property owner may sign the property over to the city rather than paying the bill.

I would hope no building permit can be issued for the property owner to place a structure on the property....now that it's cleaned up.
« AzaleaLover wrote on Sunday, May 31 at 12:55 PM »
The demolition of condemned properties is good......but who pays? It appears Cedartown taxpayers pay the bills. What about the real estate - the actual property, the building lot? Demolishing and removing the building materials improves the property. Does the City send a bill to the property owner? I would assume the City had notified the property owner that the building (or what was left of it) must be removed, as it is a hazard. Would further assume the property owner ignored such notices, thus the necessity of condemnation proceedings.

But does the real property (the actual lot) revert to the City? Demolishing and removal of the building improves the property. The property owner should not benefit at taxpayers' expense.

Please: give more information about this entire process. The article gives basic information. Would be good to see "the rest of the story".
« Demodog wrote on Friday, May 29 at 04:54 PM »
Thank you very much for the article giving additional information on the demolition of condemned properties in Cedartown.

I also appreciate the efforts of City Government in this matter.
Postings are not edited and are the responsibility of the author. You agree not to post comments that are abusive, threatening or obscene. Postings may be removed at our discretion.