The City of Holbrook is working to resolve the problems created by 15 vacant and blighted commercial buildings within the city limits. It is proving to be a daunting task as nearly all owners live out of the area and are unresponsive, others think a coat of paint will cover the problem, with others saying they are simply overwhelmed and not sure what to do next.
City Clerk Cher Reyes says the city makes the effort to work with the owners and said certified letters were sent to all the property owners notifying them to take action. Three of those letters were returned and have been submitted to the city’s attorney for further action. Reyes said, “We (the city) don’t want to take possession of the property.” The reasons for not wanting the property is because the cleanup and removal of buildings can be very costly for the city due to the asbestos that is in most of the buildings that were constructed before 1970. There is also a lot more procedures and permits that have to be undertaken when a municipality takes over privately-owned property that requires abatement.
Unfortunately, as Reyes said some of the properties pose continuous problems as they become unsightly due to vandalism and graffiti and vagrants try to live in them. The Knights Inn in the center of town has been a terrible problem for the last five years, to the point the city paid to fence it off to keep vagrants out. “The owner of the Knights Inn lives in New Jersey and so far has been unresponsive to the certified letter I sent,” said Reyes.
City codes state that every person who owns any land, building or structure in the city shall at all times keep and maintain the land, building or structure in a manner that is free of deterioration, blight, debris and garbage, weeds and graffiti. The codes further state that vacant buildings are required to have signs posted that gives the owner’s contact information and it is the owner’s responsibility to provide security for the property, including fencing and alarm systems if needed.
Reyes said some of the buildings need to be removed like the old laundry next to the Empty Pockets Saloon, while others need to have the owners become more involved. If the owners refuse to cooperate, the city can begin the process of levying fines against them.
On the other side, Community Development Director Kathleen Smith is reaching out to the owners who have responded. Her first project is the old laundry building. Smith said, “I am trying to get the owner to let us tear it down. The land is more valuable than the building, which is burned and all that is left is the walls.”
Smith went on to say, “The biggest problems for some of these properties is the people are out of the area and really don’t care, they are just using it as a tax write off.”
Reyes said the city is working to be proactive. “In the recent trailer fire, I approached the owner and finally convinced him to let us not only tear down the trailer but the old house next door,” she said. Demolition of a residential home costs approximately $5,000 to $10,000 per project for the city.
Both Reyes and Smith agree that the best approach is to get the community involved with endeavors like the Book 66 Initiative, a group of Holbrook residents who are dedicating one Saturday a month to clean the city up one building, one street and one alley at a time.
Smith said, “We need people to invest in the community, clean up their own yards, and if you see a neighbor that needs help, help them or let us know.”
Reyes noted, “I would love to have residents call or email us when they see something that they think is a violation. Holbrook covers a lot of land and as the city we can’t see it all without the help of our citizens.”
To report concerns, either call City Hall at (928) 524-6225 or email cher@ci.holbrook.az.us.
