According to Virginia Mercury, cities across Virginia from Danville to Richmond are struggling with abandoned buildings that have an impact on property values, public health, and criminal activity.
What cities with abandoned property are doing
Because there is little support from the state, localities from Southwest to Central Virginia are taking a practical approach to the problem and investing their own resources to resolve the situation. Even so, local officials are calling for state support.
Local leaders are concerned about more things than aesthetics. Other things are concerning to Virginians.
- Each abandoned property in an area decreases the value of surrounding properties by anywhere from 0.4 to 3.5%.
- Abandoned buildings invite criminal activity and violence.
- Seeing abandoned buildings in their neighborhood could cause residents to experience stress and depression.
- Chemicals might be inside abandoned factories that could be harmful if touched or breathed.
- Floors can break and roofs can cave in at any time. Sharp items such as broken glass and nails might be on the floor.
- Stray animals, rats, snakes, and bugs can make their homes in abandoned properties.
- Going into an abandoned building is trespassing that is against the law, and people who enter could get arrested.