How do you go about renovating an old abandoned building?

Question

A bunch of teens in our area want to get together and take an old abandoned building that has been vacant for years and turn it into a teen community center. How does one go about finding out who owns the property? What steps need to be taken to approach the township or village about this undertaking?

Answer 1

GET AN APPRAISAL ON THE BUILDING FIRST!!!

You may run into the problem of the property not being suitable to the area for it's "Highest and best use" meaning that no one will do financing on the property EVER!

The title company in your area will be able to get you in touch with the owner. If it's abandoned they are most likely elderly or it has reverted back to the city because of enviromental issues.

Answer 2

You will first have to do a title search to see who owns the property and how to contact them. The county tax assessor's office will usually have that information. They have to be able to contact the owner of any property, no matter where they are, to get the property tax money. Also County hall usually has a copy of all deeds there too.

This is a much bigger undertaking that most people can imagine. The hard part will be talking the owner into letting you use the property. They usually are going to want some big bucks and are not very open to charity work for teens. You will need to have adults willing to be there any time the doors are open. You might be able to talk the owner into leasing the property for $1 if you put insurance on the property and fix it up for them. A guess at insurance for this kind of building and it's use would be $100 a month.
Then there are the supplies to fix it up. Some big box hardware stores will donate supplies as part of their community help programs. The kids can have drawings, car washes, T-shirt sales to bring in the rest of the money.
The building will have to be inspected for asbestos and lead paint. You can get a list of qualified inspectors from the county. If they find any, then you have to get qualified people to remove it.
Next you will need a contractor willing to donate time to inspect all work and make sure everything is up to code. While you're talking to the county, be sure to get all the right permits and check the zoning of the area to make sure you can have that kind of center in that neighborhood. Also, you want to see if your county or state has any money for this kind of project. Teen centers usually are supported a little by state grants.

It's a big project but it can be done.

So, here is the list:
Go to county hall and get:
1) owner's name and address
2) zoning for that property
3) information of all permits you might need
4) information for grants
5) list of inspectors
6) name of county seat holder for that area. ( he could be of help.)
And that's day one.

Good Luck and God Bless

Answer 3

hi Roxy, I somewhat have been renovating the domicile the place i became into born in for the final 18 years. I somewhat have helped many others doing previous homes and farm properties. the undertaking is: Do you fix them to what they have been (era smart) or lead them to present day. My journey that is larger to intestine them and initiate over and in no way attempt to stay in one once you redecorate, as you many times stay in a large number. My next domicile would be finished in the previous I ever circulate in to it !

Answer 4

If you mean the construction phase you should always starts with the foundation

Answer 5

contact http://www.habitat.org// they might be able to help you or at least point you in the right direction. But you do have to help with the work.