HAMMOND | The Board of Public Works and Safety has opened bids to tear down a pair of abandoned buildings in the city, and demolitions of another seven are scheduled for later this month.

An award for the removal of former homes at 7120 McCook Ave. and 939 May St. is expected this week from the Board of Public Works and Safety.

The demolition of condemned structures at 3246 Kenwood St., 4343 Torrence Ave., 1327 Truman St., 4502-06 Sheffield Ave., 5628 Walter Ave., 5651 Walter Ave. and 833 Wilcox St. will be advertised Thursday.

A house at 6849 Maryland Ave. received a two-week reprieve from the wrecking ball when its owner told the board he had a potential buyer for the property who had second thoughts after seeing the building slated for demolition.

Actin/TRI Inc. is currently tearing down unsafe structures at 1113 Michigan St., 6539 Jackson Ave., 5626 Walter Ave., 5652 Walter Ave., 7019 Monroe Ave. and 7004-08 Monroe Ave.

Chief of Inspections James Callahan said more than 100 condemned buildings in the city likely will be demolished by year's end.

Owners of the properties still face collection actions by the city to recoup the cost of tearing down the blighted structures.