Update / Follow-up on the news

The City Council has given final approval for a housing project on formerly blighted property at Laurel Avenue and Birch Street.

The 25 single-family homes will be built by Olson Co. of Seal Beach. The project is part of a city campaign that began several years ago to improve the area, which had become run-down and overcrowded.

The city spent about $3.3 million to buy nearly three acres of the neighborhood, relocate the residents and demolish the homes. When the city resells the homes, officials expect to receive about $1.4 million plus revenue from taxes and other fees.