OGDENSBURG — From condemned property to backyard.

A vacant, garbage-strewn house that a year ago was the object of an unsuccessful attempt by city officials to rehabilitate is going to be a little girl’s yard.

On Wednesday, a wrecking crew finished its demolition of 1007-09 Ford St.

Nearby, at his home at 6 Keefe Lane, Matthew P. Blackmer discussed the plans he and his wife, Brandi F., have for the foreclosed property for which they paid $4,500 in June.

“We have a 7-year-old daughter,” he said. “We’ll just fence it in and use it as a yard.”

At City Hall, code enforcement officer Gregg A. Mallette was delighted to see the demolition take place.

“It’s another blighted property off Ford Street,” he said. “It’s a positive step forward.”

One year ago, nothing about the property could be called positive.

Mr. Mallette had tried in vain to contact its owner, Cedarcrest Fund LP of Texas, to correct the situation by getting the condemned property demolished.

Mr. Blackmer said the demolition will cost about $20,000. But his family won’t have to move, and his daughter, Ramie S., will have a yard to play in.

The neighbors are pleased, too.

“A few of the neighbors said how happy they were that something got done,” Mr. Blackmer said.

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