220+ Abandoned Constructuion Sites Identified In One Southwest Florida Town

In Lehigh Acres, Florida, The News-Press reports:

• More than 220 abandoned construction sites have been identified in Lehigh Acres since June, according to Lee County's code enforcement office. [...] A construction project is considered abandoned if no inspection has been passed in six months, said Joan LaGuardia, spokeswoman for Lee County's Community Development department. [...] The homes are in various stages of construction.

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• County officials are concerned the homes will deteriorate and become safety threats. "We'll have to keep inspecting them," LaGuardia said. But there's a question about how the county can pay for the inspections and any demolition that might be required with budget cuts looming. County Manager Don Stilwell already has told department heads to prepare for a 6 percent decrease in their budgets, LaGuardia said. "We have to cut our budget in code enforcement. We have to cut across the board," LaGuardia said.

For the story, see Town deals with empty nests (More than 220 sites identified since June) (no longer available online).neighborhood destruction from foreclosures zach