Millville to tear down 13 abandoned houses

MILLVILLE – The end is coming into view for a baker’s dozen of abandoned houses in the 3rd Ward and Center City, problem properties the city has targeted for demolition since last year.

The City Commission on Tuesday night awarded a $106,300 contract to Delphi Engineering & Contracting of Sewell to demolish nine city-owned houses.

The commission awarded a second contract worth $29,900 to Neri’s Construction and Rentals Inc. of Williamstown. It will take down four properties that belong to the Millville Housing Authority.

The city is doing the second group of four demolitions to repay the authority. The authority provided $100,000 to Millville to help with the cost of debris disposal with previous demolitions.

“These were all problem properties,” Commissioner Lynne Porreca Compari said. “They were not able to be renovated. I think it will make a tremendous difference in the neighborhoods that they’re going to be demolished in. They’re causing problems for the neighbors (and) the police.”

Porreca Compari, who is director of the Department of Public Affairs, connected the demolition push to the recent discovery of a man's body in an abandoned house on North 2nd Street. Authorities have confirmed the man's death was a homicide.

“This is an important part of helping make the city safer,” she said.

The group of nine houses are: 301-303 W. Green St., 816 Archer St., 409 and 411 Mulberry St.; 712 Buck St., 714 Buck St., 1015 North St., 553 Columbia Ave. and 415 Mulberry St.

The group of four houses are: 202 E. Broad St.;, 204 E. Broad St.; 304 E Broad St. and 306 E. Broad St.

Delphi and Neri submitted the low bids in their categories.

Joseph P. Smith; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com