Commission Approves Demolitions

bentonharborcityhall1-40
bentonharborcityhall1-40

Eight buildings, most of them houses, will be torn down in Benton Harbor this year following Monday’s city commission approval of the 2018 Berrien County Land Bank demolition list. None of the houses are occupied, and Mayor Marcus Muhammad described them as eyesores. He said tearing them down is in the interest of the city.

“Public safety, for the public health and well-being, prevention of potential crimes, some have been identified as being used for illegal activity,” Muhammad said.

City Manager Darwin Watson said all of the properties were foreclosed and sitting in the county land bank. The county’s foreclosure fund pays for the demolitions. Berrien County Treasurer Bret Witkowski tells us the county does not demolish buildings on foreclosed properties without the city’s approval. Below is a list of the properties as read by the city manager.

1120 Lavette Street
531 Broadway
378 Pipestone
381 Vineyard
431 Lincoln
956 Pearl
346 South Fair
583 North Winans