Abandoned properties.

              INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Economic Development, Tourism and Financial Services Committee
Representative Randy McDaniel, Chairman
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study 11-035, Representative Ron Peters,
combined with Interim Study 11-001, Representative Seneca Scott et al
October 11, 2011
Abandoned Properties
Dwain Midget, Director of Community Development and Education
Office of the Mayor, City of Tulsa
dmidget@cityoftulsa.org
 Properties may become neglected vacant and abandoned properties (VAPs) for a number
of reasons. A property’s total taxes and liens may exceed the value of the property or the
property may be in foreclosure, with the bank or lender unwilling to take responsibility
for the property’s care. There are also situations where the property owner is deceased
and the heirs are unwilling to take responsibility for the property.
 VAPs cause decreased property values and reduced tax revenues. Additionally, VAPs
pose environmental risks and public safety hazards, acting as staging grounds for
criminal activities in neighborhoods.
 VAPs are frequently targets of arson, and research has shown that crime rates are twice as
high on neighborhood blocks with open VAPs, when compared with matched blocks
without open buildings or residential structures. This places additional pressure on the
local fire and police departments that must respond to various incidents.
 VAPs are clustered in certain areas and neighborhoods in Tulsa. In 2009, city estimates
show that almost $400,000 was spent on VAPs, as measured by actual work orders,
which does not capture the whole problem. An estimated $450,000 was spent last year.
 To address problems related to VAPs, Tulsa officials have adopted a neglected vacant
building registry and maintenance ordinance, utilized community development block
grant (CDBG) funds for various code enforcement activities, and the proposed new state
legislation outlining a re-utilization strategy and providing municipalities with new
authority. Tulsa has been receiving CDBG funds for the past two years and is using these
funds to help with neighborhood rehabilitation.
 Proposed legislation would provide municipalities with another tool to address problems
associated with VAPs. The proposal only deals with neglected, abandoned properties
identified as a nuisance which are becoming a financial burden to the community. The
goal is not to take property, but to clean up the vacant structures, put them back to
productive use, and minimize the financial burden VAPs are placing on communities.
See Tulsa VAP Presentation.
Chief Mark Sipe, Fire Marshal
Fire Department, City of Tulsa
msipe@cityoftulsa.org
 Fire service is provided in every part of the City of Tulsa, and citizens expect a response
to all incidents. When firefighters are called to the scene of an abandoned property, they
do not know whether or not there are people inside, even though it may be considered a
VAP, and must enter the burning structure and search for people.