DEMOLITION OF DILAPIDATED AND/OR UNSAFE STRUCTURES

The Demolition Program is designed to use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds as a means of last resort to remove dilapidated structures in order to eliminate specific conditions of blight or physical decay within the City of Gainesville.

Demolition of a structure mandated by local ordinance and enforced through an administrative court order is the primary focus of this program.  The program addresses any dwelling, building, structure, or property that is unfit for human habitation or for commercial, industrial, or business use and not in compliance with applicable codes; is vacant and being used in connection with the commission of drug crimes; or constitutes an endangerment to the public health or safety as a result of unsanitary or unsafe conditions.

Structures identified through the Code Enforcement and Building Inspection Department, and those with existing court orders, have first priority for demolition.  Property owners can make an application to have a house demolished with the Housing & Neighborhood Development Department.  Application-based demolition is viewed as a preventive measure to avoid court-ordered demolition.

Program Goals

• Demonstrating to all property owners that they have a fiduciary responsibility to their communities to keep their property in a decent, sound, and sanitary condition
• Enhancing overall community wellness
• Promoting the re-development of blighted areas with replacement of affordable housing
• Increasing the amount of property available for public or private investment and development
• Enhancing the physical appearance of the City of Gainesville
• Reducing criminal activity within target areas by removing vacant and dilapidated structures
• Creating and maintaining a fund for the continuation of the Demolition Program

Financing

• Funding will be provided through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) as 0% interest loans to owners or liens for those requested by Code Enforcement.
• Monies realized from loan repayments and from collected liens will be classified as Program Income and returned to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as a revolving fund for demolition.

INSPECTION, BIDDING AND CONTRACTING PROCEDURES

• If the property is determined to be eligible for the program, Housing & Neighborhood Development will procure services for a title search on the real estate, acquire a copy of the plat of the property if available, and notify any security deed holders, other liens, and any interested parties of record.  In addition, Housing & Neighborhood Development will contact the Attorney’s office to obtain copies of all court orders or citations relevant to the real estate.
• Housing & Neighborhood Development will complete an Environmental Review and Section 106 review by the state under the National Historic Preservation Act and receive a determination of “no adverse effect” by the Georgia State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO).
• An Invitation to Bid is prepared and bid packages are sent to all approved contractors as outlined in the City of Gainesville Purchasing policies.  The bid packages shall provide instructions on how to receive a bid package, date and time the Pre-bid Conference will be held, and when and where the bid opening will take place.
• Contractors shall have not less than fifteen (15) days to prepare and submit sealed bids.  At some point during the first seven (7) days of the bidding period, a Pre-bid Conference will be held with the contractors to inspect the property.  The Housing Coordinator will check contractors for City or HUD debarment.
• The Housing Coordinator will prepare an Abstract of Bids form and send all bids received and the abstract to the property owner.  If bids are more than 20% over the cost-estimate, all bids may be rejected and re-advertised.
• A Pre-construction Conference will be held with the property owner, contractor, Housing Programs Manager, and Housing Coordinator to discuss general and special conditions and execute the Demolition Contract, Demolition Agreement and Loan Documents.  All Security Deeds will be recorded in Clerk of Courts records.
• The Demolition Contractor shall acquire a demolition permit and notify all utility companies that provide service in City of Gainesville that the structure will be demolished and that all utilities currently active should be turned off.