Demolition of vacant East Third Street building is an improvement, neighbors say

The recently vacant building, right, at East Third and Race streets has been demolished after falling into disrepair. The property is zoned for neighborhood business.

HERALD-LEADER Buy Photo

Neighbors say they are pleased with the recent demolition of a vacant building at 433 East Third Street in Lexington that had been the subject of complaints.

The Lexington Housing Authority owned the white concrete block building that faced East Third and was across Race Street from Pak'N'Save grocery store.

Last year, the William Wells Brown Neighborhood Association complained to the Louisville office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development about the "unsafe and unkempt" conditions of the building and others owned by the authority. Paint was peeling from the building, and a tree grew out of one wall.

The building became the target for vandals after windows were removed some weeks ago, said Billie Mallory, president of the neighborhood association.

"Police were called several times because people were in there doing damage," Mallory said.

The structure was built in 1951 and had a taxable value of $38,600, according to the Fayette County property valuation administrator's website.

There are no plans to redevelop or use the corner lot, said Austin Simms, executive director of the Lexington Housing Authority.

"We like to refer to it as 'property in the bank,'" Simms said. He was referring to "land-banking," in which authority-owned property is held for future use. "At this point, there are no plans for it."

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Demolition of vacant East Third Street building is an improvement, neighbors say