Ironwood to amend blight ordinance

IRONWOOD — The city of Ironwood’s fight against blight has been expanded to include businesses.

In reviewing the city’s code of ordinances pertaining to blight, it was discovered nothing was included regarding commercial operations.

The city commission meeting on Monday began with a public hearing to receive comments on changing the blight code to reflect commercial operations.

No comments were received from the public after Jason Alonen, the city’s blight enforcement officer, spoke.

Alonen, responding to questions from the city commission, said no business would be “grandfathered in” for a possible blight exemption.

As with individual parcel owners, the goal will be to get properties cleaned up, short of having to take court action or issuing fines, after the initial blight notices are sent out.

The city commission will likely act on amending the blight code ordinance at its April 13 or April 27 meeting.

—Ralph Ansami