APOPKA, Fla. — Orange County leaders believe that they have found a solution to help reduce crimes in south Apopka.
It involves tearing down troubled, dilapidated properties in a neighborhood on Clarcona Road, at no cost to the property owners.
Nearly a dozen of the homes are violating county code, creating a blight, which can lead to bigger problems, leaders said.
One street over from one of the properties, sits the new Wheatley Elementary School.
Commissioners Bryan Nelson hopes the school will be the cornerstone of an entire community improvement.
Nelson worked with code enforcement to identify properties that are in violation and he sent letters to owners asking for permission to tear the properties down at no cost to them.
“They’ve kind of thrown up their hands and they’re at wits end to what they can do. It will help them out, it will help the neighborhoods out and hopefully, we can make it as cost-efficient as possible,” Nelson said.
A private company will do the demolition work for free.
Nelson hopes it will bring a face-lift to a community caught in a cycle of crime.
“If it’s gone, that kind of activity can’t go on,” he said.
The community cleanup and demolition of the first home is scheduled for the end of the month.
The owners of other homes Nelson reach out to haven’t responded to his request.