Photo: City of Des Moines
(Des Moines, IA) -- A City of Des Moines program called "Blitz on Blight" has removed its 100th condemned structure. The neighborhood revitalization effort began three years ago, but was interrupted by the pandemic and a court backlog. It has since started up again and is working its way thru abandoned structures. The program is funded by $2.5 million in Local Option Sales Tax revenue.
Assistant Director SuAnn Donovan said the Blitz on Blight program removed its 100th condemned structure last week. She says there are at least 50 more in the pipeline and more than 300 that could eventually come down.
“We picked up the pace to Identify properties for rehabilitation or removal, and we expect to be near pre-COVID levels later this fall and into 2023,” said Donovan. “That’ll be welcome news for our residents who want to see their neighborhoods improve by clearing out these unwanted structures for good, affordable housing.”
The city operates a Blight on Blight map or dashboard so residents can keep track of the process. Donovan says before the current program started, the city was only able to take down about five condemned structures per year.