A few years ago, the City of Manitowoc started a Housing Inspection Program, which Fire chief Todd Blaser says is doing rather well.
While speaking with SeehaferNews.com, Blaser said that their program is modeled after a similar program in La Crosse and was needed because of some issues his department was having.
“One of the challenges we have with the Building Inspection Department, which the Fire Department oversees, is housing concerns that don’t necessarily deal with structural com-plaints, but dealing with garbage, property maintenance and exterior aspects of the home,” Blaser explained. “It was very time consuming and other projects weren’t being addressed as they should.”
So, Blaser received approval from the City Council and Mayor Justin Nickels to travel to La Crosse to learn about their successful program.
The City hired Scott Kyle to run the program and has been doing so for the past 2 years. Many older buildings which have fallen into disarray have been taken down lately.
Kyle explained how they determine which structures they will raze. “When it comes to razing a building, typically it starts with a complaint,” Kyle said. “I would go there check the property and document the concerns. At that point the owner of the property would be sent a letter explaining the violations and giving them 30 days to…make a plan to make the corrections.”
If the owner doesn’t do anything to improve the property, they will receive up to two citations before the city begins to pursue a raze order.
Blaser says that the program is not perfect, but they have come a long way.
