$300K award to help Elkins demolish four structures
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ELKINS -- The City of Elkins began work on demolishing four dilapidated structures this week as part of a grant-funded project to remove up to nine condemned buildings across the city.
The purpose of the demolitions is to remove unsafe structures, protect property values for neighboring homes and buildings, and encourage economic development, according to city officials.
Elkins was awarded $300,000 on June 27, 2022 through the statewide Dilapidated Properties Program. Buckhannon and Thomas were also among the 22 towns and cities to participate in the pilot phase of grant funding.
"Our past budget of $50,000 for demolition expenses allowed us to only take down one or maybe two structures a year," Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco said. "The $300,000 that the state has granted us now unlocks new potential for helping us improve the city. This is a great program that I hope the Legislature will continue to support for many years to come."
The four sites scheduled to be demolished in the first phase include structures at 5 Bell Street; 202 North Randolph Avenue; 521 Center Street; and 1602 South Davis Avenue.
Four other sites have been finalized and are expected to move forward in the second phase of demolitions, officials said. One additional site is currently out for bid.
"The Dilapidated Properties Program is enabling the City of Elkins to make real progress in dealing with these blighted properties," Marco said. "These improvements are going to play a key role in revitalizing our community, attracting new residents and investment, and making our neighborhoods even more attractive and safe."
Applicants for the Dilapidated Properties Program were required to provide a list of each dilapidated structure to be removed, including the physical location and estimated cost per structure.
The grant award covers costs associated with the removal of the structures, asbestos abatement, landfill fees, stabilization, and revegetation of the property. It also covers costs such as permits, ads, title research and other fees.
Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (announced in September 2022 that $9.2 million of grant funding would be approved to assist municipalities throughout the state with the removal of dilapidated structures.
The West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 368 in 2021 to allow the DEP to develop the Dilapidated Properties Program to approve and administer funding to assist local jurisdictions in demolishing dilapidated buildings.