More than 50 condemned buildings -- houses, garages, duplexes and commercial structures -- are to be torn down as part of demolition projects being undertaken by the Steel Valley Council of Governments.

"I look at it like being a surgeon, excising cancer," said George Tkach, executive director, whose nonprofit agency works with nine municipalities. The demolition in Duquesne, Homestead, Munhall, West Homestead and West Elizabeth will be paid for with state Community Development Economic money.

"This year, we have almost $1 million in demolition activities under way," Mr. Tkach said.

He said that figure included demolition in the Blair Heights section of Clairton and the demolition of the John F. Kennedy Elementary School and another building in Duquesne.

Recently, Mr. Tkach said, two contracts totaling almost $100,000 have been awarded to the lowest bidders for demolition of about 16 structures in Homestead and Munhall.

In Homestead, EDL Development, of Braddock, will tear down structures on Ninth, 13th and 14th streets.

In Munhall, ROAC Inc., of Penn Hills, is scheduled to tear down seven structures on Ravine, Steiner, Caroline and Hall streets, Coal Road and 11th Avenue.

That work is expected to get under way shortly.

Mr. Tkach said the municipalities made the final decision on which structures to demolish after going through condemnation proceedings with the owners.

The city of Duquesne has 18 structures on its demolition list on Third, Fourth and Fifth streets, Savey Street, Kennedy Avenue and several other streets.

In West Homestead, there are 14 structures on the list, including those on streets such as seventh, Eighth and 10th avenues, Cherry Street, Hazel Way and others.

Clairton has 10, including structures on Chambers, Sixth, Seventh, Arch, Crest and Linden, according to the COG's Internet site.

In West Elizabeth, a frame house on Water Street is on the list. Mr. Tkach said vacant houses often are crack houses, places where fires and vandalism occur.

But removing the houses solves only part of the problem, Mr. Tkach said.

The empty lots often become weed-strewn, filled with litter or illegal parking lots. They sit on the tax rolls because of unpaid taxes.

He said a "holistic community development" approach was needed to clean up crime and get the property back on the tax rolls.

He said county officials, including District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., Allegheny County Director of Development Dennis Davin and county Controller Mark P. Flaherty, were thinking that way and had endorsed the effort.

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