[t]he surveyors photographed the front of each property and answered a series of specific questions related to the condition of the property. The surveyors’ feedback included observations on data points such as occupancy, lot vacancy, fire damage, presence of dumping, and the nature and use of the property (residential, commercial, etc.) (Blight Removal Task Force Plan).
Because the information collected during the 10-week survey will become outdated quickly, the city recently launched an app allowing residents to correct or update the database.
City officials use the database to prioritize blight elimination efforts, including boarding up windows, initiating environmental cleanup, and making vacant lots available to community gardeners.
Watch a video about the project here.
