Leesburg attacks urban blight

"It will be a lot safer now," said resident Johnny Stinston after Leesburg city officials employed an excavator to knock down an abandoned home at 816 Washington Street.

It is part of the city's efort to remove urban blight, which can breed criminal activity and be a safety hazard.

So far this year, the city has knocked down four houses. A house at 130 S. East Street is the next to go.

The house that was knocked down on Washington Street (pictured) was built in 1932, but had not been lived in for years. It's metal roof was rusted and windows boarded up. The owner requested help in removing the structure.

It costs the city about $3,000 to demolish distressed houses.