Memphis mulling mow-to-own program

MEMPHIS — Memphis and Shelby County officials are exploring a new program to improve blighted properties.

The Commercial Appeal reported that the City Council last week approved a measure for the creation of a committee that will come up with a plan to implement a mow-to-own program. If ultimately approved, it would allow residents that cut grass and maintain blighted properties adjacent their own to take possession of it.

"It encourages people to take pride and ownership in their community by taking care of those lots, knowing they will get something in return," said Councilman Berlin Boyd, who suggested the idea. "I've run into people who said if I could buy that lot for 100 bucks, I wouldn't mind."

There are about 6,000 properties in Memphis and Shelby County land banks and about $8 million is spent each year to mow and maintain them.

"I'm trying to mitigate the cost for the city and county because it costs city and county so much money to cut (lawns on) the property," Boyd said. "The advantage for the city and county is we've taken a non-tax-producing property and turned it back to a tax-producing property."

County Commissioner Eddie Jones, co-chairman of a joint city/county committee on delinquent tax and blight properties, said the program sounds good but it would need a thorough vetting to see if it is allowed under current laws.

"Not that I'm trying take on anything extra, but I do not mind coming over and sitting in on some of their meetings," Jones said. "There are a lot of things you're going to need to know because you're not going to be able to get it done by saying 'hey, it's sounds like a good idea, let's do it.'"

A mow-to-own program that was started in Columbus, Ohio, in 2013 has done well, according to John Turner, the city's land bank administrator.

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