Watertown has new strategy to prevent blighted properties

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - Blighted properties are ugly, expensive to get rid of, and there’s no shortage of them in Watertown.

One on Academy Street has drawn the ire of Watertown City Council Member Ben Shoen, who drives past the derelict home every workday.

“I would like a way for us to get on these properties before they become a liability dollar-wise for us,” he said.

Some blighted houses are too far gone and are slated to be demolished using taxpayer money. To avoid these expensive teardowns, the city is looking at a solution that works in other cities.

“We’re going to work on establishing a land bank if possible. Of course, it would take a local ordinance in the city council,” said City Manager Eric Wagenaar.

Land banks are non-profit organizations started by a city or county