City gets grant to help raze vacant business building
Merrill is among seven Wisconsin municipalities that will receive $218,145 in grants to demolish blighted buildings as part of a statewide program designed to improve residential neighborhoods.
Merrill will receive $20,000 to help remove the vacant building at 318 Grand Avenue.
Earlier this year, 10 Wisconsin cities were awarded grants totaling just over $900,000. The program is funded by $500,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and $500,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) with proceeds both agencies received from the National Mortgage Settlement earlier this year. DFI has allocated an additional $118,666 to help fund the latest round of demolitions. That money will come from non-mortgage related settlements received by DFI. The program is being administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
"Community leaders in cities that have already received funding have expressed tremendous support for the program because removing blighted houses has a positive impact on neighborhood property values," DFI Secretary Peter Bildsten said. "DFI is pleased to be able to add a little more financial muscle to this innovative program,"
Demolition of such properties also can lead to safer neighborhoods, according to Attorney
General J.B. Van Hollen. "Abandoned houses cause harm because they attract criminal activity,"
Van Hollen said. "By providing resources to tear down some of these properties, we are increasing public safety and improving neighborhoods."
"WHEDA is grateful that DFI and DOJ are providing resources necessary to begin an economic revival," WHEDA Executive Director Wyman Winston said. "Removing blighted properties creates more desirable locations for housing and business development and reenergizes dilapidated neighborhoods across Wisconsin."
Merrill will receive $20,000 to help remove the vacant building at 318 Grand Avenue.
Earlier this year, 10 Wisconsin cities were awarded grants totaling just over $900,000. The program is funded by $500,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and $500,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) with proceeds both agencies received from the National Mortgage Settlement earlier this year. DFI has allocated an additional $118,666 to help fund the latest round of demolitions. That money will come from non-mortgage related settlements received by DFI. The program is being administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
"Community leaders in cities that have already received funding have expressed tremendous support for the program because removing blighted houses has a positive impact on neighborhood property values," DFI Secretary Peter Bildsten said. "DFI is pleased to be able to add a little more financial muscle to this innovative program,"
Demolition of such properties also can lead to safer neighborhoods, according to Attorney
General J.B. Van Hollen. "Abandoned houses cause harm because they attract criminal activity,"
Van Hollen said. "By providing resources to tear down some of these properties, we are increasing public safety and improving neighborhoods."
"WHEDA is grateful that DFI and DOJ are providing resources necessary to begin an economic revival," WHEDA Executive Director Wyman Winston said. "Removing blighted properties creates more desirable locations for housing and business development and reenergizes dilapidated neighborhoods across Wisconsin."
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