Macon Gets Rid of Blighted Homes

During a news conference on Wednesday, Macon Mayor Robert Reichert updated the residents of Belmont Avenue on the progress of blighted housing demolition.

He says it’s a continued effort to do away with abandoned structures, while cleaning up the city and cutting back on crime.

“Initially, we try to work with the owners if they can be found to rehabilitate the structures, but if we can’t find the owners or the structure is not capable of being rehabilitated, then we take the next step.”

The house that sits at the end of Belmont Avenue is neglected and falling apart, but Janette Byrd says she doesn’t have to worry about it anymore.

“I ain’t got to look at that no more, that’s the best thing.”

Damaged homes like that one keep the neighborhood from looking it’s best and end up becoming a magnet for criminal activity.

Beatrice Fuller says, “This would be a better neighborhood, you can see what’s going on down there because a house like that is just a trap for somebody else to go up there.”

The poor upkeep and lack of maintenance of houses are the same residences that keep homeowners from wanting to make improvements of their own. The number of demolishing blighted homes increasing, shows the committment to revitalizing neighborhoods in our city.

Mayor Reichert wants the blight demolition progress to bring a message of hope and continued support to all the neighborhoods throughout Macon.