By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-926891.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Mayor Landrieu announced his blight strategy in Central City, in front of a house deemed in danger of collapse. The city has as many as 60,000 similar properties, and leads the nation in blight. Landrieu says delays for demolition will now be tough to obtain.
"To the people who own blighted housed in the city of New Orleans I'm putting you on notice now. Today is the day to begin to start bringing your property into compliance. On November 2nd we will begin strict and aggressive enforcement action. So when everybody asks When is the day?' The day is today."
Landrieu says the city has now streamlined the enforcement process to remove blight, which he says has hampered the city's economic development and quality of life. And he says blighted property the city owns will be a top priority for demolition. After his remarks, crews immediately began knocking down the dilapidated house.
For WWNO, I'm Eileen Fleming