Yemassee plans to demolish 15 ‘dilapidated’ buildings soon. Here’s what’s happening and why
With help from the state, Yemassee is taking on a project to improve the town’s appearance and increase property values.
About a year ago, a group of residents brought a list of concerns to town leaders. Among the worries: dilapidated buildings speckled through multiple neighborhoods.
Over the summer, Yemassee employees identified 22 properties that could be considered “blighted and dilapidated.” Fifteen were approved to be demolished.
The funding for the beautification effort will come from two sources: a $157,500 Community Development Block Grant, which the S.C. Department of Commerce recently awarded the town, and $17,500 from the town.
Now the town is studying environmental impacts in the areas of the buildings.
Yemassee Town Clerk Matt Garnes said he expects that process to finish in the next few months. The demolition project will begin in the spring and is expected to be complete within two years.
Once the demolition is complete, owners will be responsible for maintaining their property.
Garnes said the hope is to improve property values. But also important, he said, is that “this shows the citizens that if they bring something to us, we will do something about it.”
