Birmingham’s Demolition of Neglected Homes Raises Money

By Scott Mauldin

Published: July 4, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala—The city’s project to demolish abandoned, condemned homes will sweep through the Ensley and Pratt City communities where some of the wrecking work will raise money, starting Monday.

More than 400 abandoned homes and buildings in those parts of town will be leveled.

While crews ripped down buildings last week, recyclers asked to buy some of the materials. Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford says selling the material at one Norwood site has already brought in $80,000.

“At the end of the complete demolishing of that building, we’ll be able to sell the scrap metal for enough to offset the cost of the actual demolition of that building and many others,” Langford said.

Langford says reselling the materials will help offset the cost of the clearing work. Property owners of buildings are also assessed a fee for the demolition work.

Nearly 1,500 homes are set to be torn down within a year.