The Office of Public Works, in partnership with The Springfield Project and Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association, was selected for Round 1 funding under the Blight Reduction Program from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Funds totaling $280,000 will be used through not-for-profits to acquire and demolish blighted properties.
“The program complements our already aggressive approach to handling these problem properties,” Director of Public Works, Mark Mahoney said.
The Blight Reduction Program (BRP) is used to decrease preventable foreclosure and stabilize neighborhoods by supporting Illinois units of government and their not-for-profit partners as they target blighted, vacant residential properties in specific communities for demolition, greening and eventual reuse or redevelopment. BRP will complement the state-funded Abandoned Properties Program. The City received grant funds from this program in 2014. BRP will work to reduce blight for the end purpose of land reuse, repurposing and/or redevelopment that benefits the surrounding residential community and helps reduce foreclosure.
“The Springfield Project is excited about this opportunity to partner with City of Springfield and IHDA and continue our joint efforts to remove blight and revitalize the Neighborhood of Hope,” The Springfield Project Executive Director Tim Rowles said.
“The funding will allow our organization to purchase additional properties this year and target some of the most blighted houses in the neighborhood that have often been a nuisance for many years. We will be able to offer the vacant lots to developers for infill new construction, which is ultimately good for Enos Park and good for the City of Springfield as well,” EPNIA President Michelle Higginbotham said.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Works at 217.789.2255 or email, abby.walden@cwlp.com.
