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Demolition continues on abandoned Lansing properties

by Melanie Jongsma

LANSING, Ill. (May 20, 2020) – Though Lansing Building Commissioner Zoran Savic did not reach his goal of having nine abandoned residences demolished by the end of 2019, he was glad to see demolition begin in earnest last week. The house at 18040 Burnham Avenue was flattened and removed by KLF Enterprises, and the Village plans to finish the remaining buildings by next week. (A home at 17144 Burnham Avenue had been demolished last fall because it was classified as an emergency and in danger of immediate collapse.)

The house at 17144 Burnham Ave was in danger of collapse and was demolished last year. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
18040 Burnham Avenue was the first property scheduled for demolition this year. (Photo provided)
On Tuesday, May 12, crews and equipment moved in to flatten the structure. (Photo provided)
On Wednesday, May 13, the crew returned to remove pieces of the foundation and to fill the hole with dirt. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)
The lot is now clear and ready for a developer to build on. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

The demolitions are being funded through two grants totaling $500,000 from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. During their September 17, 2019, meeting, the Village Board approved a resolution to open up bidding for the demolition. The bid from KLF Enterprises was approved at the January 21, 2020, meeting. Banners were placed at the properties in early May to notify the public of the impending demolitions.

Village officials installed signs designating nine properties approved for demolition. (Photo: Melanie Jongsma)

In a prepared statement released on May 12, Mayor Eidam explained, “This grant money allows the Village administration and the Board to continue working aggressively with the Building Department to identify abandoned properties for demolition, with the goal of improving the appearance and, more importantly, increasing property values for surrounding residents.”

The remaining properties scheduled for demolition this spring are:

  1. 2850 Bernice Road
  2. 17715 Paxton Avenue
  3. 17946 Oakwood Avenue
  4. 17922 Burnham Avenue
  5. 2225 Thornton-Lansing Road
  6. 2344 183rd Place
  7. 2903 186th Street
2850 Bernice Road is one of the properties scheduled for demolition this month. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)
2225 Thornton-Lansing Road is one of the properties scheduled for demolition this month. (Photo: Josh Bootsma)

An additional property—3432 Lake Street—was approved at the March 3, 2020, meeting as an addition to the demolitions covered by the IHDA grants, and that building will come down shortly after the others. Asbestos testing must be completed before the building can be cleared for demolition.

3432 Lake Street is also in the process of being approved for demolition. (Photo: Google Maps)
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma
Melanie Jongsma grew up in Lansing, Illinois, and believes The Lansing Journal has an important role to play in building community through trustworthy information.