DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Another eyesore property was destroyed Friday in DeKalb County.
Neighbors on June Drive in Decatur said they’re thrilled to see it gone.
The demolition is part of the county’s efforts to improve communities by tearing down rundown and abandoned houses or forcing owners to clean them up.
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“We’ve been able to make a huge impact on improving the quality of life for all of the residents of DeKalb County, Georgia,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said at the demolition site. “When we set out on this journey, we had no idea the impact we would have.”
Demolishing properties that sat abandoned for years is an opportunity to clear the slate and build again.
Neighbors like Linda Cofielder are grateful.
“I really appreciate everyone that worked hard to keep our neighborhood as it is,” Cofielder said.
Channel 2 has been reporting on DeKalb County’s Abatement Task Force for months now, where through a court order, they tear down troubled properties.
Since the program’s inception in 2017, the county has demolished or abated nearly 730 properties.
Friday’s tear-down is the last one for the year and the last one under Thurmond’s leadership.
The property that was demolished on Friday cost about $21,000 to remove and officials say it’s been in the works for four years.
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