Mount Vernon Mayor Continues Crusade Against 'Zombie Homes'

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Just three months into his tenure, Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas continues to wage war against “zombie homes” in the city, tearing down a South Fifth Avenue location on Monday morning.

A zombie home was destroyed in Mount Vernon on Monday morning at 207 S. Fifth Ave., the most recent building to be torn down on the new mayor’s watch.
Photo Credit: *Zak Failla*

Zak Failla

03/21/2016 4:04 p.m.

“The latest shell of a building,” according to Thomas, was demolished on Monday morning at 207 S. Fifth Ave., the most recent dilapidated property to be torn down on the new mayor’s watch.

Since moving from the City Council to the mayor’s office, Thomas has been eager and adamant in introducing change and revitalizing Mount Vernon, nothing that “(the city) deserves the same safe streets and high property values that many of our neighbors in Westchester County enjoy.”

“This long abandoned eyesore, and other zombie shells of buildings like it, destroy the property values of the neighborhood and threaten public safety,” he stated. “Seniors have stood at this bus stop in fear of rodents, rubbish and vagrants violating quality of life for years.

“Our actions to take on zombies inspired private property owners to join our effort to clean up Mount Vernon and take this structure down. We look forward to more partnerships that result in taking back our quality of life.”

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