At Monday afternoon’s Mount Carmel City Council meeting, City Clerk Ryan Turner updated council members on two city-owned properties targeted for cleanup and possible redevelopment.
Turner said the city plans to move forward with selling property at 115 North Chestnut. The city purchased the property several years ago and demolished a house there that had become an eyesore. Turner noted the vacant lot remains on the city’s books and is currently only being maintained through mowing.
Turner said he plans to prepare an ordinance for the next council meeting that would allow the property to be placed on the market.
He also reported the city recently purchased another dilapidated property at 114 North Market Street for approximately 900 dollars after it went to a tax sale. Turner said the structure, located near the ball diamond, had previously suffered fire damage and has been a concern for years.
Mayor Joe Judge noted the Market Street property backs up to the North Chestnut lot.
Turner said purchasing the property directly helped the city avoid legal fees and court proceedings, and demolition work could begin soon as the city continues efforts to clean up blighted properties.