City of Talladega providing a way to demolish abandoned homes [Video]

TALLADEGA, Ala. (WBRC) – The City of Talladega will inspect abandoned homes for asbestos and demolish them at no cost to the property owner.

This initiative is funded by a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant, along with money from the city. This is all part of an ongoing blight removal program that targets abandoned, dilapidated properties in the Ward One section of town. City Building Official Jeanette Jueckstock says the hardest part of this program is convincing people to let go.

“We love Talladega. It’s all about beautifying our city, our neighborhoods, our streets, to make it feel more at home, make it feel more safe, and just make you feel good about being a citizen and a resident and being from the city of Talladega,” says Mayor Ashton Hall.

“So, a lot of it is they are afraid that they’re not going to keep their property, that’s one of the biggest …