RICHMOND -
Some neighbors are calling an abandoned home on Richmond's south side a danger to the community.
Tony Scroggins has been complaining to the city. "Vagrants been living there, homeless people have been living in there." Scroggins has been living next to the home at 2401 Decatur street for several years.
Now, all that's left is a burned out shell. A second fire destroyed it over the weekend. Scroggins worried children at a nearby playground would get too close.
"Any of our children could have been abducted and raped in that house. We've asked several times that it be torn down and nothing has been done as of yet," said Tony Scroggins.
But Monday CBS 6 has learned the city will tear it down this week. The city says the property owners have been cited with 20 code violations. And while this eyesore is a danger to the community, it's also a hazard for firefighters.
"The Decatur street incident presented some challenges because we know that as we begin fighting the fire, we notice that there were holes in the floors which put an undue strain on us." said Richmond fire Lieutenant Shawn Jones.
The city says the recession has taken not a toll on city building inspectors. "For the first time in a long time, we're starting to see a turn around where people are becoming more interested in cities again. Suburbia has had its popularity, but now people are realizing the value of cities," City's Director of Community Development Rachel Flynn.
Flynn says diverse neighborhoods, shorter commutes and history is what attracts many people now moving back into the city.
The city has 1400 vacant properties. Ten percent of those property owners are behind in their taxes.
The city says because of the extensive fire damage to the property at 2401 Decatur street, they can legally demolish it. However, the property still belongs to the owner, unless he doesn't pay his property taxes. Then, the city can sell the property at a public auction. The proceeds will pay off the property taxes and any additional will go to the original property owner.
Tony Scroggins has been complaining to the city. "Vagrants been living there, homeless people have been living in there." Scroggins has been living next to the home at 2401 Decatur street for several years.
Now, all that's left is a burned out shell. A second fire destroyed it over the weekend. Scroggins worried children at a nearby playground would get too close.
"Any of our children could have been abducted and raped in that house. We've asked several times that it be torn down and nothing has been done as of yet," said Tony Scroggins.
But Monday CBS 6 has learned the city will tear it down this week. The city says the property owners have been cited with 20 code violations. And while this eyesore is a danger to the community, it's also a hazard for firefighters.
"The Decatur street incident presented some challenges because we know that as we begin fighting the fire, we notice that there were holes in the floors which put an undue strain on us." said Richmond fire Lieutenant Shawn Jones.
The city says the recession has taken not a toll on city building inspectors. "For the first time in a long time, we're starting to see a turn around where people are becoming more interested in cities again. Suburbia has had its popularity, but now people are realizing the value of cities," City's Director of Community Development Rachel Flynn.
Flynn says diverse neighborhoods, shorter commutes and history is what attracts many people now moving back into the city.
The city has 1400 vacant properties. Ten percent of those property owners are behind in their taxes.
The city says because of the extensive fire damage to the property at 2401 Decatur street, they can legally demolish it. However, the property still belongs to the owner, unless he doesn't pay his property taxes. Then, the city can sell the property at a public auction. The proceeds will pay off the property taxes and any additional will go to the original property owner.
