RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) _ The city of Richmond is scheduled to begin a blight elimination program next month by demolishing nine homes.

Metropolitan Development City Director Tony Foster tells the Palladium-Item (http://pinews.co/1f1zKQV ) the city received three bids from contractors to do the demolition and hopes to award a contract this week. The firm whose bid is selected will have 45 days to complete the demolition.

In 2014, the city received $3.3 million in Blight Elimination Program funding from the U.S. Treasury Department through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. In all, the city plans to acquire, demolish and find an end use for 138 abandoned and blighted properties.