Contracts will likely be awarded later this week for the demolition of 12 abandoned and/or blighted houses throughout the county.

These 12 are among 33 that have been or will be torn down this year with $180,000 in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (stimulus funds) monies the county received this year.

The City of Ironton got $108,000 for the same purpose.

The money is being administered through the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization.

CAO Community Development Director Cindy Anderson said in addition to the 12 for which contracts will be awarded this week, four houses in the county have already been torn down. Another 17 houses in the county are scheduled to be demolished using county stimulus dollars.

All of the homes are being torn down with the acquiescence of the owners.

“We’re tearing them down and hopefully someone will want to come and redevelop the land,” Anderson said.

Anderson said 18 houses in the city have already been torn down or are under contract to be torn down.

At least five more abandoned and/or blighted houses within the city are scheduled to be torn down using the city’s federal stimulus monies.