DEMOLITIONS DUE

If you own a dilapidated house in Springfi eld, you might want to call your lawyer. In late July, the City of Springfi eld fi led lawsuits against the owners of 16 properties, seeking demolition of the buildings on those properties. Among them is a house in the 1100 block of North Fourth Street that was badly damaged by a suspected arson in May. The properties are mostly located north and south of the city’s downtown, with a handful extending into the east side. Many of the defendants are banks and mortgage companies – some local and some national. In about half of the cases, the property owners had to respond with a court fi ling by Aug. 10, and in cases where no response was fi led, the city will likely be given the goahead from a Sangamon County judge to knock down the buildings on those properties. Some of the property owners have until late August – the date varies – to respond. Based on the condition of most of the properties, letting the city demolish them might actually be a benefi t to the property owners, and it’s certainly in the city’s best interest.