Jefferson County working to eliminate blighted properties [Video]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Leaders in Jefferson County say they’re taking a proactive approach to tackling blight and dilapidation, but they need your help. They’re looking for your input. According to county leaders in the several years they’ve been doing their demolition program, they’ve demolished close to 50 abandoned houses. The goal is to eliminate blight from areas of the county that are bringing down property value and causing safety hazards in communities.

“The big thing that we’re running into in Jefferson county in a lot of areas of Jefferson county is blight and dilapidated homes,” says Director of Developmental Services Joshua Johnson. “We’ve demoed 47 close to 50 homes so far as part of the program. We’ve hit several different communities in terms of Docena, Robinwood, some properties outside of Bessemer and we’ve got some coming up around the Forestdale area.”

It’s welcome news for Gladys Johnson, a Docena resident. She …