LCRA sending message to city

'Clean up property or the city will own it'

SIKESTON - For those Sikeston property owners who haven't heard of the Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority, its commissioners have a message: "Clean up your property or we'll own it."

Brian Menz, Mike Bohannon and Herman Gardner visited with the Sikeston Housing Authority commissioners during the Housing Authority's regular meeting Monday and with the Board of Municipal Utilities' members on Tuesday.

LCRA commissioners are also planning to meet with Sikeston Department of Public Safety officials March 24 and Scott County Commissioners this month as well.

"We're out coalition-building," said Menz, LCRA vice chairman.

Bohannon noted that the BMU provided the LCRA's initial funding of $50,000 of which they have already spent roughly half on the first eight demolitions. "So we're trying to find whatever funding is available," he said.

Peckham, Guyton, Albers and Viets, a St. Louis consulting firm specializing in planning and urban renewal projects, identified 300 houses "in various states of disrepair," Bohannon said, properties that are "strictly an eyesore."

Asked if the LCRA has a predetermined budget goal or if they are just after as much as they can get, Bohannon said "it would be nice to have $500,000 per year" noting the cost of demolition runs roughly between $3,500 and $4,500 per house.

Bohannon advised he is looking into applying for a Community Development Block Grant which can provide up to $125,000 for demolitions. "We currently meet the criteria," he said.

The LCRA's short-term goal is to tear down the existing vacant, city-owned properties, according to Menz.

"It's comparable to Weed and Seed. Our job right now is the weeding," Menz said. "This will solve the problem with drug houses and unsanitary, unsafe conditions."

Menz said it will also be an opportunity to "instill community pride" as he believes it is nicer to live next to a clean, vacant lot than a burned-out building or drug house.

Residential redevelopment would be limited to single-family, owner occupied homes.

The LCRA's long-term goal is to address commercial properties - a "different animal," according to Menz, as acquisition and demolition costs are generally much higher.

Bohannon said the LCRA's condemnation powers enable them to get rid of any buildings which don't conform to redevelopment plans.

Additionally, the LCRA can offer developers incentives such as property tax abatement and discounted land prices. "The LCRA can greatly facilitate commercial development," Bohannon said.

Lee Bowman, Housing Authority chairman, assured LCRA commissioners they should be able to provide some funds between the Sikeston Housing Authority and HUD in addition to other help.

The BMU has always been sympathetic to the LCRA's mission, according to Steve Forbis, BMU chairman, and while the board is preparing the BMU's budget right now, they are "interested in trying to help you in some way in the future" financially as well as with other support.