DeKalb County demolished 17 single-family homes in 2017, removing blight and improving public health and safety in neighborhoods throughout the county. Two properties previously slated for demolition last year were sold or pending sale to be improved.
In addition to demolishing single family homes, in 2017, DeKalb removed four dilapidated buildings representing 68 units at Brannon Hill. In 2018, the county plans to begin seeking court approval to raze another four buildings, plus stabilize a large sinkhole in the condominium complex.
In order to remediate blight on private property, DeKalb must first receive a court order issuing permission to proceed.
In 2017, DeKalb Magistrate Court and the Solicitor-General’s office enhanced their blight-fighting initiatives. In August, the Magistrate’s Court Ordinance Division implemented a calendar to target dilapidated properties with numerous code citations once per month, allowing the county to take action on properties not returned to code per court order.
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