PHOTO GALLERY: Columbia's blight debate

Protesters march down Elm Street on May 1 to protest the proposed blight decree. Some Columbia residents are concerned that labeling certain neighborhoods as "blight" would lower property values and cause other potential abuses.   |  Sam Gause

Hannah Hemmelgarn reads the newspaper outside her house in the 800 block of Alton Avenue in Columbia on May 3. The house is in what has been designated as a proposed blighted area. She and other residents disagree with that label.   |  Leah Beane

Rick and Eric Ruhr talk with North Central Neighborhood Association President Pat Fowler on May 3 about an upcoming meeting to discuss issues of concern to the residents of the neighborhood. The Ruhrs are two of many in the neighborhood who believe the term "blighted" should not be applied to the homes in the area.   |  Leah Beane

From left, Ethan Braughton, Dave Dollens and other Occupy CoMo protesters march down Cherry Street on May 1. Some of the Occupy CoMo marchers were protesting the proposed blight decree.   |  Sam Gause

Whitney Nichols, left, baby-sits for Kate McGaughey, 6, and Jeff McGaughey, 8, on April 23 at the McGaugheys' home in the Old Hawthorne neighborhood. The upscale community off Route WW in east Columbia was included in a blight designation approved by the Columbia City Council on Feb. 6. The council has since rescinded that decree, which was based on 2000 census data.   |  Grant Hindsley

Roses grow at the front of Eric Ruhr's extensive backyard garden in early May on Seventh Street. Ruhr plants things that flower at different times in the season and has a sign that reads: "My favorite flower is always the one that is blooming now." Ruhr's home could fall within the boundaries of an enhanced enterprise zone that would provide tax incentives for development that produces investment and jobs.   |  Leah Beane