MIDDLEVILLE, N.Y. -- "We've been working on this, getting them torn down now, about the last four years," Middleville Mayor Keith Jeffers commented on the demolishing of two houses on South Main Street.

The homes had been vacated for several years due to flooding, went into foreclosure, and eventually became properties of the village.

"I could jump up and down," Jeffers said. "I'm happy. The villagers are really gonna be happy once they're gone."

He contacted the Greater Mohawk Valley Land Bank, and with help from the Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority, the buildings were taken down.

The plan is turn the site into green space, with hopes for a park. Another Herkimer County demolition is coming up next week in West Winfield.