Blighted buildings in Leeds — The City of Leeds is demolishing several vacant properties in a citywide beautification project. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Thanks to a recent approval from the Leeds City Council, the City of Leeds has launched a project to safely and quickly demolish several blighted buildings due to their length in vacancy.

Learn more about this project and why it matters to Leeds.

Why demolish blighted buildings in Leeds?

Due to any number of reasons—financial setbacks, delinquent taxes, death of an owner, natural disasters and many more—residential buildings can become abandoned and quickly fall into disrepair. In fact, 1.3 million residential properties in the U.S. were vacant in 2022 according to data analytics company ATTOM.

Once abandoned, these neglected buildings can cause a number of problems for their neighbors—and the city as a whole.

Vacant, blighted buildings negatively affect the surrounding property value, reducing the overall health of the surrounding housing market and local property tax revenue.
With no upkeep, these buildings can pose safety hazards.

However, the demolition of abandoned buildings is rarely easy or straightforward—even though they can be often be hazardous. Since demolition, removal and cleanup can cost a pretty penny, many cities have trouble affording the process.

Even if they can afford it, cities must conduct a lengthy investigation to ensure the property meets all legal requirements before demolishing a blighted building.

Beautifying Leeds—one blighted building at a time

In Leeds, the removal of several blighted buildings signals the time to build something new and better in the community.

“Whether it is three blighted buildings which require removal, such as in our case, or many more; the beautification and the safety of the City of Leeds is paramount to residents and local government alike. None of us, my family included, wish to live near properties that are an eyesore and do not contribute to the value of neighboring homes. I am very happy the City Council moved so quickly on this demolition and refresh project for the City of Leeds.”
Mayor David Miller, City of Leeds

The citywide refresh project will take place over the next couple of weeks and includes the demolition of several vacant properties: