RIO GRANDE — Rio Grande village is currently in the process of issuing several property violations under the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) adopted by the village in April of last year.

The IPMC governs the maintenance of existing buildings. Provisions apply to existing residential and nonresidential structures and their premises. The code provides requirements for continued use and maintenance of plumbing, mechanical, electrical and fire-protection systems.

Rio Grande has developed a tentative plan that includes five phases of clean up throughout the village that will probably end up being a two to three year process.

The first phase is focused on properties along Ohio 325 near West Lewis Ave. where the village recently received a CDBG grant from county commissioners to extend the sidewalk to businesses located in that area.

Two violations have been issued thus far and a timetable has already been set for clean up on one of those properties.

There are between eight and ten potential properties being targeted in all, several of which are also in violation of health codes. Therefore, Rio Grande is working in concert with the Gallia County Health Department to encompass all of the abandoned properties and cars throughout the village that are not being properly maintained or licensed.

According to Mayor Matt Easter, “This is a plan to insure the health and safety of village residents and visitors by promoting a clean, safe environment.”

This is a step-by-step process that begins with a letter from the village asking for a plan to clean up the property. If nothing is done or a response is not received then a second letter is sent from village solicitor Cherrington Moulton Evans. If nothing is done after the second letter then the violation is taken to Common Pleas Court where it is handled from there.

“It is going to be a win, win situation for all parties; residents, businesses and schools,” said Code Enforcement Officer Mark Neal, II, “ As a village we should all work together.”

Last summer the village sent out questionnaires to residents asking about changes they would like to see in Rio Grande. Many responses requested the clean-up of dilapidated properties in the area.

“These are dangerous things to have in your community,” said Easter, “they harbor rodents, kids can get into them and of course it doesn’t hurt to have pride in your community.”