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Old 01-22-2012, 09:35 AM
 
178 posts, read 334,593 times
Reputation: 122

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Long-time lurker first time poster with a pretty straight forward question. I recently had the pleasure of helping to administer a community survey in a Birmingham neighborhood (Smithfield/Greymont) and one of the concerns that came up repeatedly from residents was the problem of vacant/blighted properties.

A lot of these are rental properties owned by a local realty company but I imagine there are some independently owned properties in the mix. Unsurprisingly in addition to being eyesores vacant properties are magnets for illegal activity.

Any progress in Birmingham will have to confront both the obvious opportunities (like Five Points South or my own Highland Park) as well as its challenges (or as I like to say hidden opportunities) like West End and Simthfield/Greymont.

I would hope there are laws concerning the securing and upkeep of vacant properties and in this case the owner can be readily found. I'm looking into it myself but I'd greatly appreciate any knowledge this community may have.

Is there anything that can be done about the problem of vacant properties?
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Old 01-23-2012, 09:45 AM
 
Location: Birmingham
11,787 posts, read 17,771,707 times
Reputation: 10120
It is a symptom, not something a community or group of people can really do anything about - in my opinion. It all starts at the top. Once the city county and state leaders make those areas desireable to live in and people start moving back in to the city and out of the suburbs, those businesses will return.
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Old 01-29-2012, 09:10 AM
Miv
 
Location: Birmingham, AL
156 posts, read 351,059 times
Reputation: 122
Occupy them.
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Old 01-30-2012, 01:35 PM
 
2 posts, read 8,372 times
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Default new/junior member

I am interested in purchasing a piece or two of the abandoned properties in an effort to help revitalize the areas. A demolition crew may be needed for some of the places. If there is a way to see them online or in visual aid form without driving all over Birmingham please let me know. Residential as well as commercial and industrial properties will get my attention.
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Old 01-30-2012, 06:29 PM
Miv
 
Location: Birmingham, AL
156 posts, read 351,059 times
Reputation: 122
Natex, there is no way to get around driving all over Birmingham to find vacant or blighted properties. If you have free time I would check out Norwood Resource Center. They have TONS of information on blight properties and their MIA owners, back taxes, etc., and can even give you a tour of some of their renovated homes (they are AWESOME!).
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