COLUMBIA, MO (March 21, 2011) -

The Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) will begin assessments of residential properties in Columbia’s central city neighborhoods this Wednesday, March 23. Only those violations that can be seen from the public right of way will be noted, such as peeling paint, broken windows and trash in the yard. Properties with significant violations will be asked by the city’s Office of Neighborhood Services to be brought into compliance or face possible prosecution.

Inspections will be conducted by city staff on a weekly basis through the fall. All properties within the NRT area will be reviewed during 2011. The NRT area is primarily in central Columbia and includes the East Campus, Benton-Stephens, North Central, Ridgeway and Douglass Park neighborhoods. Not only does the NRT work closely with these associations in addressing chronic problems within their boundaries through the enforcement of environmental health and property maintenance codes, but also develops ways to help build community and neighborhood relationships through such activities as neighborhood organizing workshops and neighborhood cleanups.

NRT inspections are conducted by staff from the Office of Neighborhood Services. The city’s neighborhood response coordinator, a building inspector, senior environmental health specialist and police officer knowledgeable on the city’s codes participate in each inspection.

“The Neighborhood Response Team is a proactive way for the city to conduct code enforcement and ensure that properties in the heart of our city are kept in good repair,” said Bill Cantin, neighborhood response coordinator with the city. 

Since NRT began in 2000, the number of properties assessed on an annual basis has grown from less than 500 to approximately 3,500. NRT has also expanded from central city neighborhoods to include the White Gate and Indian Hills neighborhoods in the city’s northeast. The percentage of properties in compliance with city property maintenance codes has also increased from an initial rate of just under 50 percent to well over 80 percent. 

The city of Columbia has several assistance programs available for lower-income home owners to bring their properties into compliance. For more information, please contact Bill Cantin with the Office of Neighborhood Services, (573) 874-7248 or bpcantin@GoColumbiaMo.com.