Shirley Jones had no argument with the city of Augusta's desire to tear down her former home.

She couldn't sell the house in the 2400 block of Danville Street because the co-owner died and his sole heir wasn't cooperating. Meanwhile, someone set the place on fire and then vandals stripped anything not destroyed.

She was grateful the city wanted to demolish what was left and Ms. Jones even offered the property for the city's land bank.

The elements of Ms. Jones' story of property gone bad are heard repeatedly, said Rob Sherman, of the city's License and Inspection Department.

This year, the city has more money to address the issue of dilapidated properties. Mr. Sherman said the city budgeted $125,000 to use on abandoned property in any neighborhood, in addition to $100,000 in HUD money for demolition in historic communities. Last year, the only money available was HUD money for the historic neighborhoods.

In addition, Commissioner Betty Beard succeeded in getting money from the transportation tax to increase demolition of abandoned structures in the Laney-Walker and Bethlehem communities.

Mr. Sherman said 90 percent of the abandoned homes in Augusta are in need of demolishing. He said the number the city can get around to depends on how much money is set aside, adding that city commissioners are to be thanked for increasing the budget this year.

When a structure is identified by an inspector, the owner, if he can be located, is given time to fix the property or sell it. If owners cannot be located through the tax assessor's records, the city sends the owner a certified letter to the last known address, puts a notice on the structure itself and publishes ads in the newspaper, city attorney John Manton said.

It's labor intensive, but it's the only way to clean up property and hopefully get it back on the tax map with new owners, he said.

Tearing down decrepit structures helps stabilize a neighborhood, he said. It also eliminates eyesores and places for vermin to multiply.

Inspectors have seen just about every human vice while inspecting "vacant" structures, Mr. Sherman said. Drug sells and use and prostitution are common. When it gets cold, squatters start fires, he said.

"That's when the problems start," Mr. Sherman said.

Arson has also damaged whole neighborhoods. Harrisburg community residents were victimized by several arson fires last year.

Mr. Sherman said they have seven or eight of those homes on their list, "and there are more that need to be done."