[font=Arial]Buildings unfit for human habitation continue to be toppled in the city, and the Montgomery City Council approved the demolition of 50 more during a Tuesday meeting.[/font]

[font=Arial]City officials believe years of neglect and inaction have led to hundreds of dilapidated buildings in the city.[/font]

[font=Arial]"We're sending a message out there in the community that if you don't keep up your house, it could possibly be torn down," Mayor Bobby Bright said.[/font]

[font=Arial]Property owners successfully stopped the demolition of four properties. Council members said they need to be improved in the next 120 days or they will be demolished.[/font]

[font=Arial]The majority of those trying to block the demolitions had grown up in the houses but did not have the money in recent years to take care of the property, and the structures continued to deteriorate.[/font]

[font=Arial]Councilman James Nuckles said he admired the determination of the people, but said the buildings are a liability and a hazard to the public.[/font]

[font=Arial]"It's unfit for human habitation," he said.[/font]

[font=Arial]Councilman Tim Head said children are attracted to them and come in and out, which is dangerous.[/font]

[font=Arial]The buildings condemned Tuesday will cost, at a minimum, several hundred thousand dollars to knock down. Nuckles estimated several million. The city budget includes $150,000 for demolition, but a portion has already been used to knock down previously approved structures.[/font]