Blighted Properties Dubbed 'Double Trouble' Demolished in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. - Two blighted properties nicknamed 'double trouble' have come down at 519 and 519 ½ East 6th St.One of them, dubbed the 'pigeon house,' had a large number of birds living inside.The demolition is all part of St. Louis County's recent efforts to clean up tax-forfeited properties so they can be returned to the tax base. Once demolition at the site is complete, the county will work with the City of Duluth to determine proper zoning, after which, the property may be offered for sale to adjoining property owners if permitted, or sold at public auction. "The county has had to spend a lot of resources trying to manage this property over the years, mowing the lawn and dealing with the problems such as the pigeons, as well as a fire that was set in one of the buildings in 2013," said Mark Reed, St. Louis County's deputy director of land and minerals. "So we are very happy to see today's progress – for the neighbors' sake and for all of our tax payers."In 2014, the county took care of 25 properties. The County Board has also authorized an additional $450,000 for demolition, rehabilitation and related costs in 2015.To learn more about the county's efforts to improve and re-sell tax-forfeited properties, including dates for upcoming public auctions, click here.