Dilapidated Properties Reduce Tax Base

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, July 16, 2009 - Most of the photos in the slideshow above are of an abandoned house at 233 East Pine Street. The City of Ironwood attempted to purchase this property at last year's tax sale auction, but was outbid. The last three photos in the slideshow are of a relatively well-maintained house adjacent to the blighted property -- at 237 East Pine Street. Notice how close the two homes are to one another. 

Aggressive blight control measures could lead to increased tax rolls. Razing the blighted house would greatly enhance the maintained structure's value and it would increase the chances that someone would buy the house to live in. Any new owner of the adjacent property may want to purchase the lot where the shack once stood. Suddenly two properties that weren't contributing to the tax base are now paying taxes.

Please notice that the electrical service to this badly dilapidated structure is still active. Also note that there is gas service to the building (which appears to be off). What would happen if, during the winter, snow-loads cause the building to collapse? Electricity and uncontrolled natural gas don't generally mix in a favorable way.

The Chronicle contacted Xcel Energy to see if they have been billing the property owner for electrical service. According to Xcel, there is no active account in the building and there should be no electric service to the structure. They told the Chronicle that they would investigate the matter and disconnect the electrical service as soon as possible.