Hartford City: Two Properties Being Transferred to BDC for Group Demolition

From the Hartford City Property Standards Board meeting on June 10, 2026

Two properties are being voluntarily transferred to the Blackford Development Corporation (BDC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, for demolition as part of a group teardown effort.

The first, 520 East 3rd Street, has been empty for approximately two years with holes in the garage roof and heavy brush. The owner's representative, Lori Pepper, agreed to sign the property over. Attorney Jim Forkham will handle the deed.

The second, 306 North Mulberry, owned by Richard "Dick" Hawkins, is also being transferred. A family representative described the transfer as "the best bet for the city and Richard."

BDC will pay for the deed transfers and fall taxes on both properties. Mayor Eckstein described these transfers as part of a broader initiative: "as we start doing our process of some of our teardowns." Both cases were tabled to the August meeting.

Source: Meeting transcript — Hartford City Property Standards Board, June 10, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.