SCHENECTADY — City leaders are considering a plan to hike vacant building registration fees to help pay for the upkeep of commercial and residential eyesores.

"The cost of maintaining these vacant properties has gone up substantially," said Councilman John Polimeni, who offered up the proposal for discussion during a committee meeting. "All of us get calls on these type of properties and this would help in getting them cleaned up."

The current fees range from $1,050 in the first year with gradual increases each year until it reaches $4,050 in the fifth year.

The plan by Polimeni, which must still be approved by the full City Council, calls for a $2,500 fee in the first year, plus a monitoring fee. Fees will increase yearly, jumping to $5,500 in year five.

While he didn't know the exact cost to the city to maintain the vacant structures, Polimeni argued that decrepit properties can bring down property values and lead to greater crime and fire risk. He said new fees are not a "money grab."

The city can take the owner or the bank to court if they don't pay up within 30 days of being notified that the money is overdue.

Council President Ed Kosiur said the yearly annual revenues generated by the vacant building registration fee are estimated to be around $400,000.

"It's a lot of revenue but it doesn't offset the expenses," said Mayor Gary McCarthy, adding that upwards of 85 percent of the properties in question are bank-owned.

McCarthy said studies have shown that the deterioration of a property over 7 years until it reaches the point that it has to be demolished can cost a municipality between $60,000 and $68,000.

He said the city tries to be reasonable if a homeowner makes a good faith effort to keep the property in good condition.

Councilwoman Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas was hopeful Polimeni's idea would help revitalize some areas of the city.

"I think we all want the neighborhoods to look better, to feel better and this will help," said Zalewski-Wildzunas.