RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — It appears more and more vacant property is popping up in the city of Richmond.
There are more than 1,000 empty houses documented in city records.
“Right now there’s a total of a little more than 16-hundred properties listed on the city’s that’s on the city’s vacant listing, the vacant building listing is a list of properties that code enforcement officers throughout the course of day to day activities they may encounter properties that appear to be vacant,” said Richmond City spokesman, Mike Wallace.
Wallace encourages residents to let city officials know if there is a vacant house in their neighborhood that is posing problems, he said residents could even videotape and photograph the issues.
“It’s important to monitor for the health of the community obviously you want as many houses full, occupied within the community but also vacant properties may be under disrepair they may be a target of theft or other criminal activity,” said Wallace.
Helen Oliver is a longtime resident of N. 23rd Street; she’s lived on the street for more than 50 years and she said she has contacted the city about several vacant houses that she said are eyesores on her block.
“I have called, I’ve been to the basement I’ve been to the mayor’s office I’ve been to so many places at city hall that they know me, ” said Oliver.
Oliver said years ago her neighborhood was a beautiful thriving street but she is bothered by the empty run down houses.
“I would like to see that house fixed up and the trees trimmed, I’d like to see the trees trimmed over there to make the neighborhood beautiful, “ said Oliver.
Wallace stressed it is not illegal to own vacant property but the property cannot violate city code.
