Run down homes being torn down in Village Green neighborhood

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County leaders are attacking blight in one Macon neighborhood.

About 300 thousand dollars of Macon-Bibb’s blight funds are being used to improve the Village Green neighborhood in Macon.

13 abandoned and dilapidated homes will come down to make the neighborhood feel and look better. It’s something that has been in the works for some time.

Chris Floore with Macon-Bibb County Public Affairs Office says, “Several years ago the commissioners floated some bonds for these blight funds. Each commissioner had a million dollars to spend in their districts and they’ve been doing that by tearing down homes, creating parks, creating green spaces and improving the looks and feel of the neighborhood for these funds as they saw the needs from the residents.”

Wednesday, 4 homes on Village Green Lane were torn down and one on Deeb Drive drive was also demolished.

County leaders say removing blight will not only leave a spark in the neighborhood, but will also benefit homeowners.

Floore adds, When you’re in a house and you’re surrounded by blight it lowers the property value for the entire neighborhood so if we can remove that blight, if it becomes open space property values could be better for homeowners.”

This round of demolitions is part of a focused effort by District 7 Commissioner Scotty Shepherd.