CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As the city of Clarksville continues to grow, the city has continued to deal with neglected and abandoned homes in some of its legacy neighborhoods.
Mayor Joe Pitts has started to working to tackle the issue. He’s appointed Clarksville city councilmember Dianna McLaughlin to head the new “Restore Clarksville” task force. The group had its first meeting to compile a list of problem properties. Next, they’ll work with anyone living on those properties to rehabilitate and restore the place, offering a host of resources already set up in the community.
“This will be more carrot than stick,” Pitts said. “We want to make sure we’re providing a carrot — or an incentive — for property owners to clean up their properties or neighborhoods by offering programs, help, etcetera, but sometimes we have to cite them if they’re not compliant.”
Although better curb appeal is just one goal of the task force, they said there are also safety concerns for those living in these homes. When asked how much the program would cost, Pitts said he believes it will actually save the city money.
“Both the police department, if they have to respond to calls from people who are living there when they’re not supposed to be — squatters, for example. Or we have Building Codes that has to spend an inordinate amount of time citing and re-citing those same structures,” Pitts said. “We’re hopeful that it will save money, and then we’ll be able to target our resources that exist through our various departments into areas and make a real difference.”
Pitts added Lowe’s has agreed to donate supplies to help with properties.
In addition to city department representatives, the mayor’s Youth Council President and Northwest High School student Adam Stover has been appointed to be a part of this initiative. Additionally, Austin Peay State University s President’s Emerging Leaders Program member Kyleigh Koyama has been appointed by Pitts to be part of this initiative.
If you have a home you believe needs attention, or if you need help fixing up your own property, you can reach out to the city’s Building and Codes department.
