The owner of a string of abandoned townhouses that have been described by neighbors as a "horror" has agreed to demolish them next week.
Township council members in Wanaque approved the planned demolition of the Lakeside Manor houses unanimously on Monday, also agreeing to demolish three nearby abandoned homes.
The townhouses' owner, Jacinto Rodrigues, gave officials a check for $100,000, which will be held in escrow to guarantee the demolition of the structures at Lakeside Manor, according to NorthJersey.com.
Officials were prepared to demolish the structures as of last week, but were in discussion with Rodrigues to have him cover demolition costs.
NorthJersey.com reports social media users have described the long-unfinished townhouse project as a "skid row tenement," and likened it to a "war zone" in Iraq.
