The City Commissioners approved Wednesday $875,000 in change orders to enable contractors to tear down more than 80 vacant houses and buildings throughout the city.

City staff estimates there are at least 7,000 abandoned structures in the city.

“Our goal is to demolish 150 abandoned structures this year. Through September we have demolished 130,” Shelley Dickstein, deputy city manager, said prior to the meeting. On average, it costs the city around $10,000 to demolish a vacant structure, she said.

The money comes from federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Dyer Construction of Brookville landed the original $106,441 contract in 2011. Two change orders later — Wednesday’s change order was for $500,000 — the contract is worth $684,741 through November 2013. The latest change order is for the demolition of nearly 2.8 million cubic feet.

Charles Jergens Construction of Dayton saw its 2012 contract increased by $375,000 for the demolition of just over 2 million cubic feet through December 2014. The original contract was for $420,976. The contract has had two change orders and is now is now worth $827,792.

“You can expect to see more of these (demolition contracts) in the weeks and months ahead,” City Manager Tim Riordan told the commissioners.

In other business, the commissioners approved using $185,000 in city development funds for Miller-Valentine Operations for the retention of 17 full-time jobs, the creation of 26 full-time jobs and the renovation of 8,000 square feet of space at 137 N. Main St. If the company does not fulfill its pledges of jobs and renovation, it must repay the money, according to the development agreement.