Houses from Hell: Problems after the demolition
9:53 p.m. Sunday, May 13, 2007
Topeka — After condemned houses come down, neighbors are often relieved - even ecstatic. But what's left behind can also cause problems for neighbors.
“Basically, we have vacant lots. They're not being taken care of. We lose that tax base,” explains Pat Delapp of the Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association.
The house at 1425 Jackson had been an eyesore for neighbors since owner Steve Dugan took the floors out of the house and it literally began falling apart. Neighbor Sheila Albright was anxious to see something done with the home.
“I'm glad they've finally taken it down,” said Albright
Houses from Hell
See 49's Houses From Hell series on neighborhood blight in Topeka
- Houses From Hell: One owner struggles with city to keep his house standing (May 6, 2007)
- Houses from Hell: House demolition a long, lengthy process (May 9, 2007)
- Houses from Hell: Problems after the demolition (May 13, 2007)
- Houses from Hell: Neighborhoods look into possible solutions (May 16, 2007)
- Buildings from Hell: Abandoned businesses attract crime and lower property values (May 20, 2007)
- Houses from Hell: County DA wants to put the law into action (May 23, 2007)
- Landlords Association offers to help clean up house from hell (November 27, 2007)
- City Council codes hearing (December 3, 2007)
- "Houses from Hell" series spurs action from the DA (December 18, 2007)
- New look for 615 SW Tyler...neat and tidy (December 19, 2007)
- DA applauds Houses from Hell investigation (December 27, 2007)
- Charges filed after Houses from Hell investigation (December 28, 2007)
The house was torn down by Dugan and his crew, even though he admits he doesn't have a demolition permit.
“At least it's down now. It looks like it hit the neighbor's house a little bit. He's not too concerned,” said Dugan.
Dugan said he would have liked to save the house but understands why the City wanted to see it demolished.
“I just think of what could have been and what it is now,” said Dugan.
In the past couple of years, the Chesney Park neighborhood has seen several houses torn down. Neighbors are happy to see the houses go, but questions still remain after the demolitions.
Some lots are too small for new construction. The size of an average lot is anywhere from 50 to 75 feet wide.
“Most of the houses torn down are really small not legally the proper size if an individual was coming in to rebuild on those lots,” says Kevin Surbaugh of the Chesney Park NIA.
NIA president Tom Benaka says he is worried about the side effects of the demolition going on Chesney Park.
“[If] we keep tearing [houses] down, we won't have any affordable housing,” says Benaka.
Dugan says his neighbor next door will buy the lot once the rubble has been cleaned up. And Albright credits our ‘Houses From Hell’ series for help making it happen.
“When word gets out there, I think people are more motivated to do what they should be doing in the first place,” says Albright.
Nearly 200 houses, garages and other structures have been demolished since 2002 or will be in the future.
In part four of our series, we'll take a look at some of the solutions the City, neighbors and community members have come up with to bring some Houses from Hell back to life.
Watch parts one and two Liz Zamora's series, Houses From Hell.
Comments
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May. 14, 2007 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)OZ (anonymous)
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This is a very slippery slope for a news organization to take, especially in a community "governed" by a group that abuses eminent domain. This is PRIVATE PROPERTY and there are other ways of dealing with property owners. This only fuels the RADICALS that ABUSE EMINENT DOMAIN in this community.
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This is a disappointing series or articles, it's something I would expect to find on the republiSCUM station of CENSORSHIP WIBW.
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May. 15, 2007 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)Prince_of_Thrift (anonymous)
WIBW? you mean the most LIBERAL station in Topeka?
May. 25, 2007 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)topcity_785 (anonymous)
man chesney park is not the area in topeka thats needs help its over on the east and westside of the town and do you see any people living in poverty in chesney park No does any shootings or crime happen in chesney park NO so go where the ghetto is really at in topeka
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