MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - In some areas, unsightly blighted homes are a nuisance and can pose many negative effects in its surrounding neighborhoods.

One home in Haslett has caught the attention of many, as it's in a prominent location that welcomes residents and visitors when they enter the community.

"Driving down Marsh Road, it's a really bizarre sight to see the beautiful Lake Lansing and the parks, and then to see this abandoned house on the side of the road... it's a strange sight," said Bryce Berry, Haslett resident. "I think it gives the impression that the community isn't as careful about their spaces as they really are."

Blight more likely exists among aging communities and affects buildings or homes that have fallen under poor conditions and began to deteriorate. Blighted homes happen through neglect and are considered unsightly and unsafe.

Meridian Township Treasurer Julie Brixie says the blighted home off W. Lake Drive has been in decline for about 10 years.

"The lawn wasn't getting mowed. The house wasn't being painted. Something would fall off, it just stayed there. Nothing changed with the property," said Brixie.

Brixie further explained her concerns for how blight impacts Meridian Township's future.

"It makes our community not attractive, and it makes people not want to move here, not want to invest here, and it makes other people think 'well, I don't have to take care of my property if nobody is taking care of theirs.' So, it (blight) can be contagious, and that's something that's really troubling," said Brixie.

Ingham County Treasurer Eric Schertzing, who is working with Brixie on this project, explains how blighted homes are not only a nuisance and an eye sore to residents, but they can also be a threat to the economy.

"In the city of Lansing right now, the Land Bank Authority, which I chair, has just started a project of taking down 240 blighted homes that I have tax foreclosed over the years, and we were able to come up with some funding through the State of Michigan to take those houses down. And, you know, what goes on in Lansing impacts the economic viability of everything in the region," said Schertzing.

Schertzing said the blighted home will soon be demolished and will be in the tax auction on July 23, 2015. However, plans for this site are far from over.

"We really have the opportunity to do something cool and unique on this site. Maybe we could get a sculpture, I could see a bright, big, shiny sailboat, or a sculpture of a Great Blue Heron, something like that. Something big and bold and really neat to welcome people into Haslett would be a terrific thing to put on this site," said Brixie.

The Haslett Beautification Association will spearhead this design, as well as look into fundraising and grant opportunities.