EAST CHICAGO | Seven more buildings which have been determined to be unsafe were ordered torn down by the city on Wednesday.

The Board of Public Safety approved condemnation and demolition orders on the properties, which include the former Blaskovich Chevrolet showroom and service center, and a two-flat at 505 W. Chicago Ave., which was never repaired after being damaged in the fire which destroyed the Quarterback Club in 2003.

An emergency order to vacate was served on the lone resident of the deteriorating back building at 4020 Kennedy Ave., an elderly man whom relatives are helping find a new apartment, said Building Commissioner Ernest Hagler.

So far, 37 dangerously derelict structures have been ordered demolished over the past year.

"We're ready to go with 21 additional buildings in June," Hagler said, "And then we've got another 21 behind them."

Code enforcement actions have been so vigorous that Hagler has asked the Board of Public Works to review a possible contract for additional environmental services for the demolitions.

The city already has an asbestos engineer, Hagler said, but his department could use some help in determining further hazardous situations associated with abandoned properties prior to beginning actual demolition work.