COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman wants to hit the owners of blighted commercial properties right in the wallet with a new law that could potentially fine them thousands of dollars for ignoring city requests for them to fix up their vacant buildings.
The proposed ordinance would allow the city to fine the owners of “damaged and unsafe” businesses, hotels and apartment buildings $1,000 per day if they fail to heed city–issued repair notices, Coleman announced Monday, alongside City Council member Michellle Mills and City Attorney Richard Pfieffer.
“If property owners are unwilling to take responsibility for their buildings, we will hold them accountable.” Mayor Coleman said.
Current law allows the city to file civil or criminal complaints against properties deemed public nuisances, but Coleman says the civil process is time-consuming, the criminal process is often difficult and owners frequently ignore orders or drag out the process.
If City Council approves the mayor’s proposal, the city would immediately issue repair orders for 10 properties, including a Northeast Side hotel shuttered in January after Pfeiffer’s office deemed it a public nuisance.
The daily fines would continue to be imposed until the properties are repaired and if they go unpaid, the city would file suit to recover them, Coleman said.
Revenue collected from fines would be invested in the Land Management Fund to help maintain and stabilize vacant buildings that have been acquired by the city, Coleman said.