The city of Childersburg is moving forward with cleaning up the town, thanks to a Community Development Block Grant that was announced last November. The city’s grant application was approved for $205,900, which is to be matched with $23,000 in local funds to identify and raze properties identified as unsafe for a number of reasons.

Property owners are to be notified in case they want to improve the buildings; and the city will also consider requests from property owners who may have buildings they want to have torn down.

Some 30-35 commercial buildings and residences are being inspected as a preliminary part of the project.

Unsafe buildings can prevent dangers and can also affect the value of nearby property.

The grants come through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and are administered in the state by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. ADECA has awarded approximately $700 million in CDBG money to fund nearly 2,000 projects across the state since 1982.

These grants enable cities to undertake projects without taking funds from vital services like public safety and other budgetary priorities. We’re glad to see Childersburg moving forward to improve the city.