City asks help compiling "100 Worst Properties List" (Savannah: houses, inspectors)

[Newsboy]

Something tells me that the regulars on this site would be especially qualified to contribute to this effort! I've got quite a few in mind myself and plan to participate What do y'all think?

The City of Savannah is asking the public’s help in creating its new 100 Worst Properties List as part of its larger anti-blight campaign, called Blight to Bright.

The 100 Worst Properties List is a list of the worst of the worst blighted properties in Savannah, and receive priority attention and tracking. The list, as well as enforcement actions, will be displayed on the City website, savannahga.gov. For the upcoming list, half of the 100 Worst Properties will come from Property Maintenance staff; the other half will come from the public.

Citizens can call 311 or go to Savannah, GA - Official Website, and provide an address, property condition description, and attach a photo (optional). City Property Maintenance inspectors will visit the property, and decide whether it makes the list.

Those that don’t make the list will be entered into the Property Maintenance work order system, where inspectors will work toward code compliance. Last year the City of Savannah Property Maintenance staff handled 13,466 cases, including exterior building violations, overgrown lots, and derelict vehicles.

As part of Blight to Bright, the City throughout the year will be regularly asking the public’s help, as well as launch an aggressive education campaign, as part of a stepped up effort against blight. Citizens can report blighted properties by calling 311, or using the 311 form at Savannah, GA - Official Website.

Savannah Wants You to Help Make 100 Worst Properties List - Local news, weather, sports Savannah | WSAV On Your Side

[pink caddy]

What do I think? Based on a similar outreach for help in identifying illegal rooming house some six years ago, it's a waste of time. In the case of illegal rooming houses you may also find the list on line and the tracking or progress of the case in court. It's meaningless. I can' t post details here on line as the city now avoids my calls regarding attempts to get updates. Let's just say the city doesn't know what to do with the issue of down and dirty houses, 100's of violations per home, and how to put those people on the street. They were successful with only one owner that I know of. He was given 7years in jail and an order to stop being an operator. Was out on appeal real quick and some people say he has family members running the business. Certain official in The Rooming House Task Force agree but refuse to talk about it because they are not quite ready to proceed to court. "It's long slow process Mr. Pink" yep, like six years and counting.

That being said I'll return to the subject thread. The city has a number of maintenance agents looking for buildings as described in OP. They will issue a complaint for very high grass for example and give 10 days to have it cut. If not cut they "may" send the city out and cut it and a send a $160 bill. So you see it would be to there advantage to have a tribe of people looking for this source of income. Well, not that easy. They put the charge on your water bill. It seems to me there are 100's of derelicts homes out there but I doubt they have a water account. In fact it's so easy to get water without an account I can't imagine how many people don't pay a water bill.

I have no trust or confidence with this city to accomplish what "they say" they want to do.

Let them get one program done (illegal rooming houses) and then I will be glad to post the entire list of 100 homes that they need.

[SavannahLife]

Very interesting post Mr. P. Completely serious question, how do they get water at these outlaw places then? Do they use bottled water? Somehow get an illegal connection?? Hope this thread grows, along with engagement of this issue by us citizens of this City, and that the City fully leverages citizen aid, and does not squander the opportunity, of as you said to have us help them address this problem.

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by SavannahLife

Very interesting post Mr. P. Completely serious question, how do they get water at these outlaw places then? Do they use bottled water? Somehow get an illegal connection?? Hope this thread grows, along with engagement of this issue by us citizens of this City, and that the City fully leverages citizen aid, and does not squander the opportunity, of as you said to have us help them address this problem.

Do you know how to shut the main at the curb? Turn it the other way and the water goes on. The valve is under the metal plate near the curb. It has a square head. The tool to open it is sold in Home Depot for about $9.00. I'm sure the people keep it off when not used as the water dept will eventually see usauage in a house with no account. How they catch that I don't know.

[Newsboy]

OK. But aren't we talking about properties that are falling down, over grown, boarded up and mostly uninhabitable? Are people really stealing water and squatting in these places?

[DanielAvery]

I wonder how many "concerned citizens" will identify the Hyatt as blighted and in need of tearing down? I'll co-sign.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by DanielAvery

I wonder how many "concerned citizens" will identify the Hyatt as blighted and in need of tearing down? I'll co-sign.

Haha!!

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

OK. But aren't we talking about properties that are falling down, over grown, boarded up and mostly uninhabitable? Are people really stealing water and squatting in these places?

Think you're right. Doubt those properties that people are not living in/squatting are stealing water. On the other hand, any damn fool in the city can find
The type of properties you are describing. What do they need us for? Isn't that what Property Mantinance gets paid for?

[DanielAvery]

They just want people to feel like they're part of the solution, even if, like you said, nothing meaningful will be done with the information. I'm sure there are certain folks who pester the city with complaints about various issues, so this is the city's way of saying "Don't bother me, just send your suggestion to ____."