The City of Independence is continuing its efforts to condemn dangerous and unsafe structures in the city.

 

At the most recent city commission meeting, commissioners voted to condemn half of the structures up for public hearing. The owners of those properties either have not responded to efforts to contact them by city officials or want the city to take the property into the land bank. Commissioner Dean Hayse says removing those structures from the city is important for public health.

 

However, the city also wants to save those houses that the owners want to repair. The owners of five other structures on the list appeared at the meeting to present their plans for repairing their properties. Those owners were given another six months to implement changes to the homes. Hayse says he's happy to see those homes saved.

 

The city plans to continue the abatement process on unsafe and dangerous structures in Independence.

Pictured: Dean Hayse, Tim Emert, and Scott Smith