Town leaders in Marion have a new plan to transform neighborhoods block by block by getting rid of dilapidated buildings.

What we're doing is cleaning up the mess in a neighborhood," said Ken Heath.

Through the Blighted, Abandoned, Underutilized, and Derelict program or BAUD, Heath says they are busy replacing old, run-down homes.

Property owners really haven't figured out how they can get rid of that property, so it just sits there and it draws down neighborhoods, and it also draws rats and contributes to the whole neglect in the whole neighborhood," said Heath.

The next step isn't for the town to own these lines, it is to be in a position for us to make those lots available back to the public to be able to sell those and put another house there," added Heath.

Heath says the project is expected to bring in more residents and visitors.

That's our goal- is to turn vacant property back into houses, so we have people living in those, productive citizens, productive houses here in the community that produce people who can work in our businesses, and shop in our businesses and be able to grow the community," said Heath.

Marion Redevelopment and Housing Executive Director, Charles Harrington, says the goal of the project is to build new and improved homes.

What we want to do is have people come back in and become vital parts of the community, we want to make sure that if you want to come to Marion to be employed, that we have a place for you to live," said Harrington.

Heath says they plan to tear down and replace around 35 homes this year.