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Richmond urges patience on blight elimination program

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) – Residents of an eastern Indiana city say they want to see progress on a blight elimination program a year after the city received $3.3 million in grants for the effort.

Richmond officials say that progress is coming. The Palladium-Item reports the city plans to demolish the first nine houses in July and hopes to have 138 razed by the end of the year.

The work is being paid for with grants received in 2014 from the U.S. Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund.

Economic Growth Group vice president Mike Allen says he had hoped to see more activity by now.

But city leaders say the process is a slow one because of the appraisals, environmental tests and bids that need to be obtained before demolition can begin.