City of Cleveland Nears Demolition of 10,000 Blighted and Abandoned Structures

The City of Cleveland is nearing a significant milestone in its efforts to strategically remove blighted structures from its neighborhoods. The City has now demolished 9,700 blighted, abandoned and nuisance structures during Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s tenure. The Department of Building & Housing (B&H) has taken a systematic approach to identifying properties, often based on citizen complaints and routine inspections. 

Click here to watch a demolition and interview with Building and Housing Interim Director Ayonna Blue Donald. 

The City has dedicated $72 million since 2006 –from a variety of funding sources— to its ambitious demolition strategy. Funds include $13 million from the Mayor’s Safe Routes to School Initiative, General Fund monies and grants. The removal of these properties is part of a comprehensive strategy to eliminate blight while encouraging neighborhood investment and increasing property values –a goal of Mayor Jackson’s Healthy Neighborhoods initiative. 

From 2013 to 2017, B&H has razed 3,450 structures, conducted 16,647 board-up actions, and issued 6,540 condemnation violations. It has also closed 8,175 vacant property complaints during the same period. 

The City is committed to addressing vacant and abandoned properties and ensuring all citizen complaints are addressed. Clevelanders are encouraged to support the Healthy Neighborhoods initiative and report blighted or vacant structures by dialing 3-1-1 or emailing bhcomplaints@city.cleveland.oh.us.

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