Salem Interim City Manager Annette Sola says the housing demolition work is now underway that is being funded through a $190,000 state grant.
She reports city crews are doing the work.
“House demolition is underway. We are working on the 3rd house right now. We have several more that are scheduled and the nice early spring weather is helping tremendously. So we will continue to work through the list that we have.”
Sola says there are currently 20 homes targeted.
“A lot of the homes are smaller. Some of them are full so it takes us a little longer to work through those homes full of furniture. But we average 1 maybe 2 houses per week right now and hope to keep that up and have everything done by Fall.”
Sola says homes are 306 East Mitchell and 718 South Washington are already down and work was underway on Friday to tear down the third home at 501 East Locust.
Sola notes the land will remain in the ownership of the current owner after the work is done. She hopes that those owners will work with developers to build new homes on the lots.
