South Bend officials discuss problem of abandoned homes
South Bend officials discuss problem of abandoned homes Save Email Print
South Bend, IN
Posted: 6:54 PM Nov 24, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:24 PM Nov 24, 2008
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South Bend officials say they are not abandoning the problem of abandoned homes.

On Monday night, city officials discussed ways to cut the number of abandoned homes by about three-quarters.

We're told in the last 18 months, 180 vacant homes have been demolished and it's making a positive impact on the neighborhoods.

"We have put a concentrated effort into the city of South Bend the past two years,” said Katherine Toppel, Code Enforcement Director. “We have the additional funding to move forward on the demolition of those homes.

Toppel says plans are in the works to demolish another 150 homes next year. She says people should let her office know if an abandoned house is in their neighborhood.
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Posted by: margaret Location: south bend on Nov 27, 2008 at 07:49 AM
There are a lot of rentals and houses for sale in our neighborhood. Sometimes I would rather have them be empty. At least there are not thugs and slobs that are trashing up our once nice area. We rented our home for 10 years before we bought it. The young lady that owned it dropped by once in awhile to see how we were doing ant to check on the condition of the house. She always asked if we minded and of course we didn't. I hate it that the owners of these rentals have Granger or MIchigan addresses and don't live here in the area. All they are interested in is getting that check.
Posted by: jj on Nov 26, 2008 at 12:05 AM
My mom has lived in this area for almost 30 yrs. and has seen this area go straight down hill!She can't sell her house due to the property value and is surrounded by abandonded houses. Her house was recently broken into and now she's scared to death to be in her OWN house! This is the result of SLUM LORDS! and THE MAYOR who has made little effort in changing the face of South Bend. I grew up there and will never return! I'm scared to go visit my own mothers house...
Posted by: Pat Location: South Bend on Nov 25, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Hypocrisy reigns in South Bend! The city is tearing down all these abandoned homes. You would think they would start with their own property first. The abandoned fire station at Walnut & Thomas St. still stands after how many years? It is an eyesore and blight in the neighborhood. WNDU - how about getting your reporters on this!
Posted by: Overtaxed Citizen Location: South Bend on Nov 25, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Great information Fred. Pay attention people. Local government is about to take more money from your paychecks since they unable to control their spending. Everyone should attend this meeting to oppose this tax increase! WNDU why are you not reporting on this ??? The people deserve to know!
Posted by: CityEmployee Location: South Bend on Nov 25, 2008 at 04:10 PM
"South Bend cannot balance its budget in 2009." No! luecke cannot balance South Bend's budget because he is a poor manager with weak to zero leadership skills and his irresponsible spenidng habits have put this city in this mess. Can't wait to see all the comments on this story.
Posted by: Fred Location: Mishawaka on Nov 25, 2008 at 12:53 PM
This message was just sent to elected officials in St. Joseph County. Mayor Steve Luecke has decided to move forward with asking the Common Council of South Bend & St. Joseph County Council to pass LOIT by 12/31/2008. The reason he gave: 1. If LOIT were to pass by 12/31/08, funds will be available for use for the 2009 budget cycle. If we were to wait until passage in early 2009, funds would not begin to flow in until October of 2009. 2. He could not garner support from the County Democratic caucus prior to the election of 2008. So, once he understood the implications of when the money would flow, he felt compelled to push now. 3. South Bend cannot balance it's budget in 2009. Mayor Steve did indicate that both the South Bend D & St. Joseph County D caucus is looking at passage of the full LOIT - 1.25%.
Posted by: CityEmployee Location: South Bend on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Guess the mayor's brilliant idea to sell some of these houses for a buck hasn't panned out. Another in a long list of ill-conceived luecke brain waste. luecke, please just resign already and let someone takeover who is serious about fixing the problems you have created.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 25, 2008 at 11:24 AM
It's called Democrats taking care of Democrats. What a suprise the first building being demolised just across the street from the West Side Democratic Club.
Posted by: Kevin Location: South Bend on Nov 25, 2008 at 09:52 AM
To Joe, Knock em down.My neighbor rented his house to a nice young lady who was section 8. 9 months later he had to replace several broken windows,fix holes in the ceiling, replace the carpet oh and she stole his fridg, washer and dryer. You can put the "low income" renters next to you not in my neighborhood.
Posted by: MM on Nov 25, 2008 at 09:12 AM
if govt got out the way and/or people got off their rears there could be responsible people to fix them up and rent ,lease or sell them.
Posted by: anon Location: somewhere on Nov 25, 2008 at 08:59 AM
to firefighter: yep, they keep getting torched, yep they should be dozed, nope I don't want to look at 'em either, yep there's a bad safety issue, and you and I get to pay for the board ups buddy!
Posted by: firefighter Location: South Bend on Nov 25, 2008 at 08:16 AM
It seems to me that these houses are being torched first, then they sit for a few months and get lit up again. I feel that as soon as the investigators are finished doing thier jobs the dozers should be on the sight ready to go. As a neighbor, I would not want to look at a burned out house. Second, you have a safety issue everytime somebody goes back in that house. And third, who pays for the board up?
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Nov 25, 2008 at 08:11 AM
They should demolish the County-City building; that would save the taxpayers a WHOLE LOT of money.
Posted by: DH Location: South Bend on Nov 25, 2008 at 07:42 AM
How about spending some funding in the county for abandoned homes also. They could start with the two houses on Quince Road (between Edison Rd and US 20).They have been abandoned, not boarded up, caught on fire, and become a trash dump for at least the last five years.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 25, 2008 at 07:37 AM
as long as crime thrives in that area, nobody will buy home there except for the criminals who love it there.
Posted by: hmm on Nov 25, 2008 at 07:14 AM
I'd rather see the money spent on this than a jumbo tron TV
Posted by: joe Location: mi on Nov 25, 2008 at 06:49 AM
why not let people low imcome rent them for $50.00 a week then south bend would be helping the homeless and getting money to fix them up
Posted by: Erik Location: South Bend on Nov 24, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Who wants to live in a war zone. If they are not shooting, the thugs are ran sacking your car. I don't miss waking up seeing a thug walking through my yard!!! Dear Mayor: Just open up a smoke hut or a liquor store in place of the abandoned homes. Those businesses seem to thrive along Lincoln Way West area.
Posted by: bobbie Location: st. joe, mi on Nov 24, 2008 at 08:58 PM
South Bend doesn't have to bear the total expense for this. Berrien County, MI has 2 auctions a year for abandoned properties. The successfull bidders aquire the property and pay the back taxes and the county pays for the demo. The property then goes on the tax rolls to the new owner and the new owner maintains the lawn maintenance. Simple!
Posted by: anon Location: sb on Nov 24, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Where is extra funding coming from????

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