Gary Begins Project To Tear Down Abandoned Buildings

GARY, Ind. (CBS) -- The bucket on the end of an excavator tore into a building today in Gary to cheers from onlookers.

It was the first abandoned building to come down under a state-financed program to eliminate blight.

Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson said it was the first step in a long journey.

She said it was an exciting day to see the demolition, but also to know that neighbors who have maintained their homes will see the benefits in terms of better property values and better quality of life.

The state gave Gary about $7 million to demolish about 400 abandoned buildings.

The Executive Director of the city's Redevelopment Commission, Joseph Van Dyke, said, "It's not enough just to get a bunch of money to do demolition, but you have to be thoughtful."

And, he said, that includes making the most of the money and maintaining the green space after the buildings are gone.

The mayor says there are about 10,000 abandoned building in Gary.

About 8,000, she says, need to come down.

The state grant money will cover the costs for roughly 400 demolitions and maintaining the green space.