BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
Mayor Bob Buckhorn said the 51 homes slated for demolition in Sulphur Springs were not on any futuristic list of improvements. However, they are uninhabitable, devalue the neighborhoods, and are structures used for criminal intent.
Tuesday, the first of those 51 homes was demolished at 8615 N. 16th Street, as residents cheered the move. Mayor Buckhorn said, “We want to make the quality of life better for the residents of Sulphur Springs. These homes have been used for prostitution, gang activity, and drugs. They are firetraps and people shouldn’t have to live next to them.”
Mayor Buckhorn said he has named the project the Nehemiah Project, “because it took 52 days for Nehemiah to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.”
He further stated that it would take about six months to complete the first phase of the project. “Most will be demolished before that time, but some may have asbestos issues and we have to comply with all regulations.”
He said the demolition also ties in with the installation of street lights throughout the city.
Forty-five of the homes are located in Sulphur Springs and an additional 6 are located north of Busch Blvd. The cost of each demolition is $5,500. Each of the former residences have multiple code violations and none are historic.
Once the structures have been demolished, the Clean City Division will maintain the properties. The City will also dedicate three full-time code enforcement officers to the Sulphur Springs neighborhood to help continue revitalizing the area.
The funds for the demolition will be taken from the City’s General Fund.
Pictured: Mayor Bob Buckhorn is shown with Sulphur Springs resident Reeshemah McCoy-Green and her daughter, Legacy who live in a property adjacent to the one that was demolished Tuesday morning.
