The Situation
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Springfield has a very old housing stock that features some very architecturally interesting structures as well as some significantly deteriorated ones. A great number of the deteriorated structures are located along the corridors leading into the city. This and current trends in the housing market, create a situation where attempts to build new housing or rehabilitate older housing for sale have slowed. These problems have also dramatically exacerbated the already major issue of foreclosures in Clark County.
Springfield also has an aggressive Code Enforcement Department. However, because of staff shortages it operates primarily on the basis of complaints. If no one lodges a complaint, problems go unaddressed. When the Code Enforcement Department does act it often leads to demolition because the housing market is saturated and unsubsidized new investment is lacking.
Where will Wittenberg help?
Wittenberg can play a significant role in gathering information that would help policy makers. The foreclosure problem calls out for a geographic study to indicate neighborhoods that are particularly under stress. Other research opportunities could include property ownership along the corridors and community market research to help determine the best ways to proceed with code enforcement. There are also significant opportunities for volunteer work, already begun as part of the South Limestone Gateway Initiative.
Current Progress
