Staff Report

GOSHEN — An Elkhart County landlord may want to auction off blighted rental properties before the county demolishes them, but county officials seem reluctant to wait any longer.

Dani Messick of The Goshen News reported in a story Sept. 27 that the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners accepted bids for the demolition of three properties owned by Ron Davidhizar.

An auctioneer representing Davidhizar then informed commissioners that the targeted properties are now up for auction through his company, and Davidhizar might auction off additional properties of his that are on the county’s Unsafe House list.

The auctioneer outlined a deal, similar to one he said Davidhizer had with the town of Milford for blighted rental properties there, in which the houses set for auction would go to the highest bidder then could be renovated by the new owner.

County officials indicated action against the targeted properties started almost five years ago, and that changing course now after demolition bids were accepted was unlikely.

According to The Goshen News, Elkhart County Commissioner Suzie Weirick said “we have no faith” in Davidhizer.