On this week's Soapbox we speak to Germantown resident Julie Baranauskus about the blighted property adjoining her home. She and her neighbors in the Penn-Knox neighborhood have fought for years to get this rapidly deteriorating property restored or out of the hands of it's owner, Anthony Byrne. Julie explains how the property has impacted her home and community and why this fight has dragged on so long.
The property at 5357 Knox street currently has $6,672.56 in outstanding taxes and liens. A blight law passed in 2011 made each broken or sealed window and door subject to fines of $300 per day. This house currently has 24 such windows and doors. At $300 each that adds up to $7200 a day in fines. If this law was enforced the total fines in July, 2012 would be $223,200.
Read more about the city's blight law here: http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-27/news/30328056_1_property-values-vacant-properties-land-bank
Want to know what constitutes blight? Visit this page for city laws on it:
http://www.philadelinquency.com/?page_id=582
The Northwest Soapbox is a platform for the people of Northwest Philadelphia to offer commentary, share news or make a call for action. Each week a different person speaks to issues affecting our community. Want to get on the soapbox? Contact us at: soapbox@gtownradio.com.