The city of Springfield, Mass. will solicit bids this week for demolition of 11 vacant buildings, continuing a program aimed at removing blight and improving the quality of life in the neighborhoods.

"This is a significant priority of the city," Mayor Charles V. Ryan said last week. "The backlog of these dilapidated buildings is daunting. We will keep moving ahead."

This is the third round of demolitions under a $1.8 million demolition fund authorized by the Finance Control Board last July. Many of the properties are abandoned and some were taken by the city for nonpayment of taxes.

In the first two rounds, the city chose 19 buildings in various neighborhoods for demolition. Approximately half the buildings have been demolished and razing of the others is pending.

In the latest round, most of the houses are in the Old Hill, Six Corners and Pine Point neighborhoods.

"I'm elated," Omega Johnson, president of the Old Hill Neighborhood Council, said. "It's a long time coming."

One of the major goals under the neighborhood's master plan is the removal of dilapidated buildings and the creation of new, affordable, single-family homes, Johnson said.

The blight reduction effort by the city will help draw people back to the neighborhoods and get rid of some of the drugs and violence, Johnson said.

In most cases, the properties have been vacant for years and have structural problems. Properties recommended for demolition are reviewed by a Structural Survey Board before they are razed.

In addition to setting aside $1.8 million for the demolition work, the city places liens on the properties to recoup at least some of the cost, returning any proceeds back to the revolving fund, officials said.

Bid packages will become available on Wednesday and proposals are due by May 3, at the Purchase Department at City Hall.