On Tuesday, city officials hosted a news conference in front of an abandoned house at 18 Catlin Ave. to announce the city’s vacant housing strategy.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said city officials will be using the legal procedure know as an Article 19-A, which could possible lead to the city taking over ownership of abandoned and vacant houses in the city. He said city officials will also be going after banks holding the mortgage of zombie properties in the city. A zombie property is a vacant and abandoned house that is not maintained during a prolonged foreclosure proceeding.

Benjamin Haskin, city associate corporation counsel, said a survey of city neighborhoods has revealed there are 45 zombie houses in the city and 175 to 200 abandoned or vacant properties in the city.

Sundquist said, so far, 12 19-A and seven zombie house lawsuits have been filed, with the potential to file 30 more. He said city officials need to fight blight with a community approach.

A map detailing zombie and vacant properties in the city of Jamestown that have or potentially could have lawsuits filed against the owner because of blight. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

“We need to encourage investment and save neighborhoods when we can,” he said.

Crystal Surdyk, city development director, said city officials can use the 19-A proceeding to take ownership of a vacant or abandoned property, which then can be renovated and sold to a future homeowner, She said city officials will be working with local housing agencies to sell the improved properties and demolition, which is a last resort, houses that cannot be saved.

“Every property is going to be different,” Surdyk said about the strategy city officials will use to improve housing in the city.

Marie Carrubba, Ward 4 councilwoman, said the complaint she hears the most from her constituents is about the condition of houses in the city. She said blighted housing discourages homeowners from improving their houses when living near an abandoned or vacant home.

“Ultimately we’re trying to bring these houses back to life,” she said.

Haskin said despite housing court still being closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, city officials can file the lawsuits through state Supreme Court.

“We have the green light to go forward,” he said.