Work has begun to take down two houses. Photo by Mike Diegel.
Demolition work on two long-abandoned homes on Silver Spring Avenue began Friday.
The houses, owned by The Fenton Group, are part of a property that’s slated to be redeveloped with an office building, retail and apartments. However, the property is currently for sale.
At least one of the houses was an example of a kit home marketed by Sears, Roebuck and Co. from 1908 to 1940, as shown in the graphic below.
In an effort to combat a growing number of unmaintained properties like those at 812 and 814 Silver Spring Ave., the County Council in May enacted Bill 39-16.
Councilmember Tom Hucker (D-District 5) was the lead sponsor for the bill, which requires owners to register unmaintained vacant buildings, pay certain fees for these buildings, require property inspections and amends the county housing and building maintenance standards.
By Friday night, one home as virtually gone. Photo by Mike Mowery.
Graphic courtesy Karine Zbiegniewicz.
Video by Mike Mowery.