LISBON - Favorable bids received so far for Columbiana County's housing demolition program may translate into more dilapidated homes being targeted.

Pam Dray of the county Development Department said Wednesday most of the bids are coming in under the $5,000 per unit estimate that was set, which means they may be able to demolish more than the original 120 homes.

The money for this comes from the $1.5 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding awarded county commissioners earlier in the year. Of the amount, $600,000 was set aside to demolish up to 120 abandoned/foreclosed homes that are beyond repair.

The cities of East Liverpool and Salem determine which homes in their communities are to be demolished and award bids to contractors, while commissioners are in charge of doing the same for the rest of the county.

During yesterday's meeting of the county commissioners, bids were opened for demolition of 15 homes on the county's list. Most of the 12 bids received were less than $4,000 per unit, and Dray said that has been the experience in East Liverpool and Salem as well. If this continues to be true, more homes can be added to the demolition list.

To date, 62 homes countywide have been approved for demolition. The only demolition to occur so far is in Salem, where 15 homes have been razed, and bids are being sought to raze another 14 homes. East Liverpool is currently seeking bids to demolish seven homes, Dray said.

The following is the list of homes commissioners intend to raze:

Columbiana: home and secondary home at 327, 3271/2 and 329 S. Main St.

East Palestine: 260 Meadow Lane, 295 Park Ave., 105 Liberty St., 1881/2 Clark St., and 1132 Market St.

Lisbon: 317 Sherman St.

Rogers: 46309 Walnut St.

Washingtonville: 360 County Line Road.

Hanover Township: 33592 state Route 172; 6830 Lakeview Road; and 28996 U.S. Route 30.

Perry Township: 291 Benton Road and 248 Idaho Ave.

West Township: 10733 Rochester Road.

The remaining $776,916 of the grant is earmarked for other programs, such as repair of foreclosed homes that will be resold to income-eligible households; money for Habitat for Humanity to construct two homes, and money for the Community Action Agency to purchase a home to serve as temporary housing for families rendered homeless due to foreclosure or eviction.

tgiambroni@mojonews.com