Winfield city commissioners will consider condemning four buildings or residences Monday as part of an ongoing effort to address nuisance properties within the city.
The properties up for consideration at the commission’s regular meeting are located at 110 Iowa, 510 E. Third, 1110 Lowery and 1009 E. Fifth. A condemned property can be razed by the city at the property owner’s expense.
The city attempts to contact property owners several times before the condemnation phase is considered, city manager Warren Porter said. All the structures being considered are unoccupied.
"That’s something we haven’t had to do, fortunately," Porter said. "Move someone out so that we could bring down a residence."
City officials have intensified efforts to address nuisance properties this year and that partially accounts for an uptick in condemned properties. House fires have also led to the razing of at least two Winfield homes in the past year.
"Homes destroyed by fire always move to the top of the list," Porter said. "At that point it becomes a safety issue and we need to take some action."
