Mount Carmel officials say efforts to address nuisance and abandoned properties are ongoing, but the process can take time.
At last Monday’s City Council meeting, City Attorney Derek McCollough reported that the city has recently completed foreclosure proceedings on two properties where buildings had previously been demolished.
McCollough explained that when the city tears down unsafe structures, it places a lien on the property to recover demolition and legal costs. Those liens have now gone through the court system, and sheriff’s sales are expected within the next six weeks.
He added that several additional properties are currently in the pipeline as the city continues working to clean up blighted areas.
Mayor Joe Judge said the process is often more complex than residents may realize. He noted the city must first determine ownership and provide proper legal notification before taking action.
Judge said in some cases, especially with bank-owned properties, it can take months—or even more than a year—to identify the responsible party and move forward.
He emphasized the importance of following proper procedures, noting that rushing the process could leave the city financially responsible for demolition costs.
Judge thanked residents for their patience and said the city remains committed to addressing nuisance properties as efficiently as possible while following legal requirements.