The City of Evansville is touting the results of its blight elimination program.
In a news release, the city says Evansville – like other cities in Indiana -- experienced a crisis of vacant and abandoned homes that presented a drain on the city.
Officials say it was caused by factors including a decline in population in the city center, loss of industry and high wage jobs, and conversion of homes to rentals – sometimes owned by absentee landlords.
The release says houses fell into blight and disrepair, and crime and drugs spread through some neighborhoods.
But officials say the Blight Elimination Program -- and its program partners -- have demolished more than 150 houses that were determined “detrimental to the city, primarily in the urban core.”
The release says the program has helped Evansville’s urban core see significant improvement, investment, and revitalization -- at a cost of $2.3 million.
The city says “end uses” of the blight elimination program include greenspace, side yards, economic development, parking lots, and some new housing.