The City of Amarillo is taking a new approach to cleaning up dangerous properties, bringing demolition work in-house in an effort to speed up the process, improve neighborhood safety and save taxpayer dollars.
The city recently completed its first demolition under the new program, marking a shift away from relying on outside contractors to tear down condemned residential structures.
With approximately 112 properties currently classified as dangerous structures across Amarillo, city officials hope the program will help address problem buildings more efficiently.
“Our goal is focused toward the safety of our community and also to make our community a little bit more attractive,” City Marshal Jacob Diaz said.
More Than 100 Dangerous Structures on City's Radar
Abandoned, deteriorating and unsecured buildings can become more than just neighborhood eyesores. They can also pose safety hazards for nearby residents, attract unwanted activity and create problems for surrounding properties.
Amarillo officials have identified roughly 112 properties that fall under the city's dangerous structures designation.
But getting those buildings torn down isn't as simple as sending in a demolition crew.
Property owners must first be notified of violations and given an opportunity to make repairs or otherwise address the problems.
If those issues remain unresolved, the case can be referred to the city's Condemnation Appeals Commission.
The volunteer commission meets monthly to review cases, hear from city officials, property owners and neighbors, and determine whether a property owner should receive additional time to correct violations or whether demolition should move forward.
Diaz said those procedures remain in place under the new program. The biggest change comes after a structure has been cleared for demolition.
“What the committee can expect is more of an expedited approach to the actual demolition,” Diaz said.
City Invests More Than $700,000 in Equipment and Workers
Until now, Amarillo has depended on private contractors to demolish dangerous residential structures.
That approach is changing with the involvement of the city's Solid Waste Department, which now has the equipment and personnel to handle the work directly.
Amarillo Public Works Director Alan Harder said the City Council approved just over $700,000 in last year's budget to get the program off the ground.
The funding covered the purchase of an excavator and a roll-off truck, along with the hiring of two additional solid waste equipment operators.
“We spent this past year purchasing the equipment, getting it ordered, having it arrive, and then training our staff and working with the marshal’s office to identify protocols and procedures,” Harder said.
Under the new system, city crews can demolish qualifying residential structures, load the debris into containers and transport the material to the landfill.
City leaders believe having their own crews available will help eliminate some of the delays associated with coordinating outside demolition contractors.
First Demolition Completed in San Jacinto Neighborhood
The program's first test came last week when city crews demolished a dangerous residential structure on North Fairmont Street in Amarillo's San Jacinto area.
The project marked the first completed demolition using the city's new in-house operation.
While officials are optimistic about the program's potential, one major question remains: How much money will it actually save?
Harder said the city is still calculating the cost of that first demolition.
Once those figures are available, officials plan to compare the expense with what Amarillo previously paid private contractors for similar work.
That comparison should provide a clearer picture of whether the investment in city-owned equipment and additional employees will translate into long-term savings.
For now, the city has not released a final cost for the first project or a specific estimate of annual savings.
What Happens to the Property After Demolition?
One important detail for property owners is that demolition does not mean the city takes possession of the land.
Diaz said the property remains under its existing ownership even after city crews remove the dangerous structure.
The new program is intended to address unsafe buildings, not transfer ownership of the properties to the city.
For neighborhoods dealing with deteriorating homes and abandoned buildings, officials hope the faster demolition process will help remove safety concerns before they become bigger problems.
Residents Can Help Identify Dangerous Buildings
City officials are also encouraging Amarillo residents to report buildings they believe may pose a danger to their neighborhoods.
While the City Marshal's Office already has more than 100 properties identified, Diaz acknowledged that other problem structures may not yet be on the city's radar.
Residents who notice severely deteriorating, unsecured or potentially dangerous buildings can contact the City Marshal's Office to report their concerns.
Those reports can help officials identify properties that may need inspection and possible enforcement action.
With the first demolition now completed, Amarillo's new program is moving from preparation into operation.
The coming months should offer a better indication of how quickly city crews can work through the backlog of dangerous structures and whether handling demolitions internally will deliver the cost savings officials are seeking.
