Augusta’s license and inspection division gets $100,000 a year to tear down abandoned buildings, said Rob Sherman, the office’s director. That's just enough to pay for 17 or 18 demolitions, but the city has a list of more than 300 properties considered abandoned or being seized for demolition. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.)
The city's code enforcement manager has a list of more than 300 properties that are either considered abandoned or are being seized for demolition. The problem is, Augusta doesn't have enough money to keep up with the number of derelict homes and buildings slated to get the wrecking ball.
The city's license and inspection division gets $100,000 a year to tear down abandoned buildings, said Rob Sherman, the office’s director. That's just enough to pay for 17 or 18 demolitions.
At that rate, it would take Augusta about 15 years to tear down all the abandoned properties on its list.
