By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The City of Buffalo is fighting back urban blight. Officials said thanks to a state law, the city is able to borrow money to purchase vacant property that is privately owed. This is allowing the city to get rid of dilapidated homes one by one.
Neighbors along 14th Street on Buffalo's West Side cheered as a construction vehicle tore into one of two homes slated for demolition.
One of the owners skipped town, abandoning the house. Residents say it has been an eyesore for about a decade. But Mayor Anthony Masiello says it has been a challenge for the city to tear down homes privately owned.
However, the new state law allows the city to sell bonds in order to buy the property.
Mary Cicero has lived on 14th Street for 35 years. She says it was very exciting to see the house finally come down.
The community group VOICE Buffalo has been working with the city to get the homes demolished. Sister Susan Bowles (bowls) considered the demolition a celebration...
So far this year, Buffalo has demolished more than 200-home and plans to tear down 500 by the end of this year.
But Ray McGurn, commissioner of permits and inspections, says it still remains a challenge because there are so many.
The owner of one of the homes was arrested in Tennessee and faces charges in Buffalo. But 14th Street neighbors are hoping that the site will soon become a garden or small playground for the many children who live-nearby.