Work continues to eliminate blighted and condemned properties across Butler County.

As part of that effort, an abandoned and condemned house on West Wayne Street was demolished Wednesday.

Neighbors were pleased to see the rotting property razed.

Blighted properties are an eyesore to a neighborhood and bring down property values. They are an invitation for squatters and stray animals to take up residence in the uninhabited structures.

County officials have a handful of programs available to either remove blighted buildings or rehabilitate abandoned properties.

Once torn down, government officials then place a lien on the property so the authority can recoup the cost of demolition.

Ed Mauk, director of the county housing and redevelopment authority, said Butler city and township both employ code enforcement officials who have the authority to condemn a building they deem unsafe for habitation.

“Blight has a way of destroying neighborhoods,” Mauk said. “It’s almost like it’s contagious.”

He said about eight to 10 properties are demolished at the request of the authority each year.

A land bank was created by county commissioners about one year ago so aging, abandoned properties can be rehabilitated and sold.

Land banks are quasi-governmental entities created by counties or municipalities to effectively manage and repurpose an inventory of underused, abandoned, or foreclosed properties.

The court can then award ownership of the property to the authority, which places the property in the county land bank.

Some land bank properties are vacant following demolition. In those cases, new homes can be erected and sold.

“We are hoping to use all of our tools to turn blighted or near-blighted properties into assets for the county and municipalities,” Mauk said.

We applaud their efforts and look forward to the additional razing of eyesores in our community.

— JGG