Jake Polansky joins the show to delve into the issue of blight in Baton Rouge.  Polansky shared the latest BR by the Numbers report, which revealed that there are 53,000 vacant homes across the Capital Region. Jake emphasized that blight is not only unsightly but also contributes to deeper issues such as crime, lower property values, and neighborhood destabilization. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) is tracking several legislative bills aimed at addressing blight, including house bills that would grant expropriation authority to the Parish's Redevelopment Authority and the Mayor-President. This authority is already granted to other redevelopment authorities in the state and has proven effective in other communities.

Jake explained that the current process for addressing blighted properties is slow, with the Metro Council only hearing up to 25 condemnation proceedings per meeting. With nearly 500 properties in the condemnation process, this approach is insufficient. The proposed bills would streamline the process and grant condemnation authority to the Mayor-President, allowing for more efficient handling of blighted properties.The discussion also touched on the challenges of tracking down property owners and ensuring due process. The proposed bills include provisions for fair market value compensation to property owners or their heirs. Jake acknowledged that while providing fair market compensation for all blighted properties would be costly, a targeted approach focusing on specific neighborhoods or streets could attract private investment and drive revitalization efforts.In conclusion, Jake highlighted that fixing up blighted properties does not simply displace crime to neighboring areas. Instead, rehabilitating or rebuilding these properties can contribute to overall neighborhood improvement without increasing crime in adjacent areas.