UTICA - Abandoned buildings and properties can be seen on many blocks in different sections of Utica. Thursday morning West Utica was the topic of discussion between city officials and neighbors.

Codes officials, neighborhood preservation committee members and Utica Mayor David Roefaro say they are working to demolish abandoned buildings throughout Utica, but are especially focused on West Utica.

A building at the corner of Spring and Fay has stood for roughly two years since being severely burned. The city plans to have it demolished within a week. Other buildings on the block are noticeable eye sores.

Some of the delay in removing houses like this have to do with legal battles being waged in court. The rest of the delay is being blamed on landlords.

Mayor Roefaro says that not all of the ones abandoned will be knocked down.

"Some of them can be salvaged, so the ones that don't have to come down, we salvage them and we put them back on the tax roles," Mayor Roefaro said. "We don't want to tear down all the homes that can be salvaged. We want to put some back on the tax roles."

Mayor Roefaro says his proposed budget asks for just under $1 million for demolition this year.