The City of Knox is making progress in the quest to clean up dilapidated houses. Mayor Dennis Estok told the board of works last week the first four houses acquired from willing sellers with blight elimination grant funds have been torn down. After the contractor cleans up debris from each site, the lots will be seeded.
The city has four more houses ready to be demolished and just finalized the contract to do so.
The city may be able to tear down two more houses with funds from the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority before the grant is closed out in November. Estok says the owner of a burned-out structure at 303 E. John Street has agreed to participate in the program if the IHDA approves. The city recently cited that property for various violations and ordered it be torn down.
Another structure ordered to be demolished by the city is located at 108 Allen Drive. Estok says the city has acquired it, and the street department will handle the demolition work.
