Neighbors were happy to see this house go down in the Chesney Park neighborhood. We learned about the eyesore during our Houses from Hell investigation in May of 2007.

Code Enforcement Officer Don Carey handles many of the City's demolitions, but also writes up code violations. He says the demolition process can often take several months.

"If you can just stay with the demolition and not have to stop and go do something else, it would go a little quicker," Carey says.

Codes Supervisor Jeanette Weese would also like to see a more concentrated effort on tearing down houses, but says manpower is an issue right now.

"Right now, our hands are kind of tied because we have been short-staffed and everyone does kind of have to pitch in and do everything," says Weese.

What once was an eyesore for neighbors will soon be an empty lot. But Carey says empty promises by homeowners often add up to long delays in getting houses torn down. That was the case in the 800 block of northwest Morse.

"There had been new siding put up, replacement windows and doors started to go in, and then they just quit," says Carey.

He says foreclosures are also a huge challenge when the banks won't registered as the new owners.

"Many a time a lending institution, even though they may have won the battle, they won't record it in their name," says Carey.

But he is still optimistic about making headway on the demolition list.

"This is the tenth month, I've got nine down and half a dozen on this list in some form of being repaired or investigated. Pretty good year, I would think," he says.

It could cost up to $10,000 to get a house torn down. In 2008, the budget was a little over $273,000. They are requesting $320,000. The money not used for demolitions goes back into the general fund.