http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/04/04/keepin%e2%80%99-it-kleen-five-simple-ways-to-jumpstart-the-economy/ The Rock River Times - THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1993 Fri, 24 May 2013 02:20:13 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/04/04/keepin%e2%80%99-it-kleen-five-simple-ways-to-jumpstart-the-economy/comment-page-1/#comment-5158 Makleen Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:01:51 +0000 http://rockrivertimes.com/?p=36810#comment-5158 Jared, as you know I am not in favor of any layer of government getting involved in the marketplace unless it is absolutely necessary. I define excess housing as homes that are clearly abandoned or have sat unpurchased for more than 9-15 months. My suggestion would be for current developers (or a group of wealthy individuals creating a corporation in order to do this) buying up abandoned buildings and houses (there are many in Rockford selling right now for $15-30,000) and demolishing them. As conditions in those neighborhoods improve, they can sell the land for a profit. Of course, the targeted properties should be ones that are dilapidated or in high crime areas. Perhaps the city and county should also look at lowering property taxes in certain areas so that families can afford to purchase houses in those areas that may be currently cost-prohibitive simply because of the tax rate. Those are just some suggestions. Jared, as you know I am not in favor of any layer of government getting involved in the marketplace unless it is absolutely necessary. I define excess housing as homes that are clearly abandoned or have sat unpurchased for more than 9-15 months. My suggestion would be for current developers (or a group of wealthy individuals creating a corporation in order to do this) buying up abandoned buildings and houses (there are many in Rockford selling right now for $15-30,000) and demolishing them. As conditions in those neighborhoods improve, they can sell the land for a profit. Of course, the targeted properties should be ones that are dilapidated or in high crime areas. Perhaps the city and county should also look at lowering property taxes in certain areas so that families can afford to purchase houses in those areas that may be currently cost-prohibitive simply because of the tax rate. Those are just some suggestions.

]]> http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/04/04/keepin%e2%80%99-it-kleen-five-simple-ways-to-jumpstart-the-economy/comment-page-1/#comment-5157 Jared Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:57:40 +0000 http://rockrivertimes.com/?p=36810#comment-5157 Bullet points #5 : How do you define excess housing? Do you anticipate paying the property owner for the property? Using what funding? (Fees attached to the purchase of a new home? Fees attached to whatever eventually occupies the cleared land? Special income tax on the construction workers?) What is your division between "inner" city and non-"inner" city? Bullet points #5 : How do you define excess housing? Do you anticipate paying the property owner for the property? Using what funding? (Fees attached to the purchase of a new home? Fees attached to whatever eventually occupies the cleared land? Special income tax on the construction workers?) What is your division between “inner” city and non-”inner” city?

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