City building officials estimate that each demolition costs about $8,000.

Crime beat news - The city of Detroit's plans to destroy 10,000 abandoned homes is continuing to move forward as Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is finalizing a plan to tear down thousands more of abandoned houses in a bid to make the city safer.

4,200 or so buildings have been demolished by the city during Mayor Dave Bing's first three years in office.

The governor is also considering better public lighting and coordination between the state and city police departments on an ongoing "safe routes to schools" program in addition to destroying the abandoned houses.

"The effort really aligns with what the mayor is doing to accelerate the clearing of dilapidated buildings," Sandy Baruah, CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber said.

There are 5,200 empty buildings within 400 yards of city schools in the area, reports the Detroit Free Press, according to an analysis they performed.

Of the 4,200 or so buildings demolished so far, 17% were near schools.

The paper has more details here on the effort to clean up the city and the attempt to try to provide a more vibrant urban core for the remaining residents.

City building officials estimate that each demolition costs about $8,000.

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