Vicksburg taking new steps to fight blight

VICKSBURG, Miss., (VDN) — The City of Vicksburg released an announcement Thursday, Dec. 15, that it was taking new steps to fight blight in the community in an effort to make the city more appealing for investors.

At a city Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, Mayor Willis Thompson voted with Alderman TJ Mayfield to adopt a new Vacant and Abandoned Structure Registration Ordinance designed to reduce blight, improve public safety, and encourage reinvestment across the city.

In a press release from the administration it stated the ordinance requires owners of vacant and abandoned buildings to register their properties with the city, maintain them to clear safety and maintenance standards, carry liability insurance, and submit a plan for repair, reuse or redevelopment. This gives city authorities the ability to track neglected properties, reduce crime and fire risks, protect first responders, and prevent surrounding neighborhoods from being negatively impacted.

“This is about accountability and common sense,” Mayor Thompson said. “Vacant and abandoned properties hurt neighborhoods, lower property values, and create safety risks for residents and first responders. This ordinance puts responsibility where it belongs and gives the city the tools to address problems before they grow.”

The registration program also encourages property owners to reinvest in and redevelop vacant structures rather than allow them to deteriorate, supporting neighborhood stability and long-term economic growth.

“We’re focused on being proactive,” Thompson said. “This is an effort to keep properties from falling into deterioration.”

According to documents, the Vacant and Abandoned Structure Registration Ordinance will be administered by Vicksburg’s Community Development and Building & Inspections departments and applies to vacant structures within the city limits.