Buildings Coming Down In Fort Madison

Fort Madison, IA – Fort Madison has started tearing down some dilapidated structures. The Chamber of Commerce has targeted around 20 run-down buildings that it feels should be demolished. Executive Director, Tracy Vance, says 2 properties, along Avenue H, have come down and two more could be torn down next month. He says unsightly properties are having a negative impact on the city's image, especially in the eyes of potential investors or industries. The city will pay for the first few demolition projects. Once that funding runs out, Vance says local national guard soliders have volunteered to tear down the homes. The properties can be demolished if an owner fails to respond to citations issued by the city. Vance says the land owner would retain the rights to the empty lot. He says the goal is to have all of the targeted properties torn down by the end of the year.