MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County responded to the Fox Hollow Town Homes Monday, after WREG aired a story about a blight problem last week.
A row of townhouses on Winchester have been sitting vacant, gathering trash after more than one fire there years ago.
After WREG confirmed one of eight dilapidated Fox Hollow Town Homes belonged to Shelby County, an assessor for the county’s Land Bank Department took pictures of the unit Monday.
The trash at the homes have attracted vermin and bugs, and the problem has upset neighbors.
WREG returned to the area to talk to resident Gloria Burt about the response.
“I think it’s just a show. I think they’re going to come out and just look, and I pray that they get something done,” Burt said.
All eight of the town homes are in the condemnation process.
The Memphis Fire Department said it responded to two intentional fires in the row of town homes.
One fire was in December 2012 and the other was in March 2013.
Yet, the homes are still standing.
The county said it will board up its property within the next 10 days.
The county said at least six of the other homes are delinquent on their taxes but have not yet gone through the legal process to wind up in the county’s hands.
When a property’s ownership is handed to the county, the county maintains it and either sells it or eventually donates it to a non-profit organization.
“What about the rest of them? Is anybody going to come out here and see about the rest of them?” Burt asked.
Burt said while the lengthy process takes its course, there are buildings and fences with gaping holes, where people trespass.
“Look, it’s ridiculous. Can’t live around that,” she said.
The city’s Public Works Department said it is a lengthy process to get homes demolished.
Last week, the Fox Hollow Homeowners Association told WREG it has reached out to the homes’ owners, urging them to follow up with the city.
