CAIRO (AP) — The partial federal government shutdown has sidelined plans to award a contract to demolish two public housing complexes in southern Illinois.

The two 1940s-era complexes are slated to be torn down this spring.

The Southern Illinoisan reports the deadline for general contractors to submit sealed bids to the Alexander County Housing Authority has been extended from Friday to Feb. 21.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has been managing the county housing authority in receivership for almost three years.

HUD announced plans to help about 185 families move from the complexes because they were no longer safe.

HUD said in September that the housing authority would receive $6 million to tear the complexes down. HUD says that money won’t be available until the government reopens.