Largo Helps Neighborhood by Demolishing Abandoned House

The City of Largo has demolished a derelict house at 528 1st Avenue NE as part of the City's program address nuisance properties in neighborhoods. The demolished house has been the subject of City code enforcement action beginning in 2012. Following years of effort made difficult by title problems with the property, the City purchased it in 2017 from an out of state owner. The City's Housing Program managed extermination of a rodent infestation and abatement of asbestos prior to arranging for demolition. The lot will be sodded and provide temporary open space for the neighborhood.

Abandoned houses attract criminal activity, depress property values, and discourage investment. Each derelict property represents a chronic nuisance that can impact an entire neighborhood. Largo has innovated to abate these problem properties with various strategies, including lien forgiveness programs and the acquisition of properties through the City’s affordable housing program.