Struthers continues to raze abandoned dwellings

STRUTHERS — The city continues to tear down abandoned houses, with two recently finished and a contract for seven more about to be awarded to a contractor.

But the demolitions are coming at a much higher price these days, cutting deeper into federal Neighborhood Stabilization Funds the city has available for them.

The money won’t stretch as far because the city must now follow stricter rules regarding the testing for and removal of asbestos.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency clarified those rules for Mahoning County late last year, Campbell administrator Jack Dill has said. Campbell, too, is affected by the change.

Mahoning County administers the demolition program and awards bid packages for it.

“We were tearing down houses for about $2,300 a piece,” Struthers Safety Services Director Ed Wildes told the city council at its caucus meeting tonight.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com