LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- On most days, Terry Hazard enjoys a game of dominos in the Russell Neighborhood.
What he doesn't enjoy is the hazard that's across the street. "Let's get to work. Let's step up to the plate, help out these vacant houses down here in the community," he told WHAS11.
There are about 7,500 abandoned and vacant properties throughout Louisville. The city's vacant and public property administration owns about 400 of them; the majority are in West Louisville. Some can be sold for as little as $1, but require $70,000 for rehab.
"It's not good to my children or even my family who lives across the street or whatever. It's unsafe," Hazard said.
The city is taking note of those concerns. A focus group next Tuesday will tackle how to address turning these eyesores into new homes or even consider tearing them down and starting over.
"I am very glad that we are appropriating the staff and the funding county-wide to take a look at this. There is a lot of interest in it," said Metro Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith.
Smith says a driving force behind the focus group is to decrease crime and squatters and increase the property values. Hazard says the city owes it to those who've had to drive by and live near the homes.
"The city could help. You just got to believe in the vision," he said.
Tuesday’s meeting is only for people living in the Parkland and Parkhill neighborhoods. The Department of Public Health and Wellness would like people to RSVP. You can call (502) 574 – 6616. Or you can email Priya.Persad@louisvilleky.gov, or email the Center For Health Equity, which is part of the Department of Public Health and Wellness at healthequity@louisvilleky.gov.
It’s to gather information from residents of the two city neighborhoods that have the most vacant and abandoned properties. The data will be used for a health impact assessment that will consider the health impact of repealing the Abandoned Urban Properties tax. There is some thought that tax may be having the unintended consequence of making it more difficult to get the properties repaired and reoccupied.
►Contact reporter Robert Bradfield at rbradfield@whas11.com. Follow him on Twitter (@RobertBreports) and Facebook.