OPINION|
by David Hutchison, Springfield
BK&M purchased properties knowing that they were zoned for single-family residences.
This was a calculated business risk, expecting the City to rezone the property. So far, Mr. Duda and his partners at BK&M miscalculated. Any harm to BK&M, has been created by Mr. Duda himself. BK&M asked the city to issue demolition permits for at least two of the properties. His claim was that they were uninhabitable and a blight.
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Remember that the land is still zoned for single-family homes only. In my opinion, he failed to maintain the homes, and by demolishing those on the corner, it is now unsightly and often left littered.
A good use of the barren corner would be a wonderful green space. Remove the white gravel, plant trees, and grass. Write off his investment as a loss and lesson learned.