Posted by Boua Xiong

The city's Property Acquisition and Demolition program is another step towards a blight-free Duluth. The blight clean–up program will be funded by the Duluth Economic Development Authority which will contract with the Housing and Re–development Authority. City officials said this program will help get rid of homes in the city that are considered uninhabitable.

"This is like a huge breath of fresh air this is something that has been sorely needed in this city," Gary Eckenberg, councilor at large, said.

With 126 homes considered uninhabitable spread out all over the city, the program plans to buy and demolish the homes then build and sell the lots.

"We're looking to address neighborhood community pride issues also with the goal of trying to create buildable lots or multi-family building lots within the city of Duluth," Keith Hamre, community development manager for the city said.

City councilors will decide at Monday's council meeting whether or not to approve the program contract between DEDA and HRA. If the contract gets the green light from the council, DEDA will be able to approach property owners and offer between $40,000 and $60,000 to buy. Under this program DEDA will buy about six homes a year until 2018 when the DEDA and HRA contract expires.