Easter is over, back to work. Here’s an update on what I’ve been working on. Over the weekend I decided to pull up the map of town and drive around to anything that looks interesting. One place I found was a park nestled in a far corner. The property had signs saying what organization was responsible for the land and I’ll have to go back for pictures since I didn’t write the information down. Talking to the organization about the park I’m certain I’ll be able to plant some trees there. When I talked to radio station owner, I mentioned broadcasting live concerts and this park would be a great location. Then I went closer to the center of town to look for any buildings for sale or looking abandoned, and that’s what I found. There was a building with a beautiful facade and I could see curtains behind the glass door. The stains on the curtains indicate to me no one has touched them in years and when I got closer I could see the roof of this big building had collapsed long ago with grass growing inside. My assumption is no one of authority in the city knows about this building. What I’ve discovered about why these properties sit untouched is legally no one can touch them. Most are neglected by the owner, either an heir who didn’t want it or a person that falls behind on taxes. Back taxes are sold by the city and the owner of the taxes puts a lien on the property. After two years that lien can turn into ownership, but the individuals that buy back taxes don’t want ownership, they want cash with interest. The physical building sits untouched while no one can buy it, and those with a claim not pursuing it. My plan is through my nonprofit to start freeing up properties.
Chris' Morning Pages 