MOSS POINT, MS (WLOX) -
Eleven of the worst properties in Moss Point are being torn down. Code enforcement identified problem properties, then aldermen voted to clear the land and send the bill to the owners.
The sound of contractors tearing down an old Moss Point home is like music to Georgia Jacobson's ears.
"I am very happy to see it coming down, it is a wonderful thing," said Jacobson, who has waited more than a year for the demolition.
Jacobson and her husband live next to the home on Main Street. She said the condemned building has attracted a lot of unwanted visitors.
"We had a lot of transients going around; we also saw large wood rats. He caught a possum yesterday that was in our yard and it is just an eyesore."
Moss Point Building Inspector James Hagan was also there to watch the eyesore come down. He agrees, living next to a home that's falling apart can be frustrating.
"It affects neighbors and surrounding areas more directly because they have to put up with it, they have to see it every day," Hagan said.
Right now Hagan has 11 properties on his demolition list.
"Some of the worst properties in the city," Hagan said. "A lot of these homes are just abandoned. People walked away and they don't care what happens to them. We are going out, holding public hearings on the properties and have them torn down ourselves."
Five of the 11 dilapidated homes have already been demolished, and the city is in the process of preparing another list of homes for next month.
"There are another eight that will come before a public hearing on October 16, but there are literally hundreds that need to be addressed in the city," Hagan said.
Neighbor Georgia Jacobson said she's happy the city is at least making some progress by tearing down the home next door. The building inspector said the city will add the demolition bill to those property owner's taxes.
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