First house demolished in Columbus Blight ProgramCOLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Demolition has started for the first Columbus property of the city’s blight elimination program. So, we’re just happy and elated that it’s finally coming to this day,” said Columbus Mayor Stephen Jones. Leaders say the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gave Columbus until April 2031 to complete the blight program. The first house demolished was in the 300 block of 22nd Street North.