Published: November 18, 2009 10:30 pm      

Dilapidated structures removed from neighborhoods

DUNCAN — Some neighborhoods in Duncan have recently been given a bit of a facelift as several dilapidated structures have been removed and replaced by a cleared lot.

In September, the City Council gave the go-ahead to proceed with the demolishing of the eight structures within the city limits, and in October, the buildings were leveled.

“Normally this is a week-long process,” Dana Schoening, Community Development Director said, “but with the extended periods of rain we got, it took close to three weeks to finish the project.

“There should be nothing left now but a pile of dirt and a cleared lot.”

Schoening said normally there will be two of these types of projects throughout the year, and expects to begin on another similar undertaking in late December or early January.

The city will usually consider around 20 structures that they deem dilapidated and need to be demolished. However, not all of those structures will usually be demolished.

“If we look at twenty structures, only ten or twelve will actually be demolished by the city,” Schoening said.

He said that four or five of the structures will normally be taken care of by the owner. , and another three or four structures, the owners will actually have plans for the building.

“We like it when they do it themselves,” Schoening said. “It’s at their expense, as it should be, and doesn’t cost the city.”

Schoening said that with these structures gone, neighborhoods will usually see an improvement, and neighbors will sometimes do some cleaning of their own to their own properties. He said taking these structures out will improve the value of the neighborhoods as well.

“People will put on new siding, and do some needed landscaping,” Schoening said. “It will be a benefit for the people and their property value.”

Schoening said that this is also a good thing for the city as it keeps it looking clean, something that he said Duncan does a lot more of than some other cities.

“We try to get rid of those blighting influences around town,” Schoening said. “We’re kind of aggressive in that area, in keeping the city looking clean.”