As part of a grant-funded project to remove dilapidated properties, the city is accepting sealed bids for the demolition and reclamation of the two structures within the city limits.

The two properties scheduled to be taken down are located at 924 South Davis Avenue, and at 326 South Randolph Avenue. The city has set a strict  completion date of March 15 for the properties to be removed. 

The South Davis Avenue structure sits just across the bridge from Gino’s, heading south. It is located across from Reckart Logistics and Hair Graphics.

The other structure is at the end of Center Street, on the Kroger end of the street.

The City of Elkins is currently accepting bids for the demolition and reclamation of two commercial structures in Elkins, including one located on South Randolph Avenue and at the end of Center Street, The city hopes to have the structures removed by March 15.

“The property on South Randolph is close to Kroger and it has been on our list for quite some time,” Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco told The Inter-Mountain. “It has recently been painted blue and has some serious issues that make it dangerous for the community.

“The one of South Davis used to be the old Printcrafters location. That structure has been pretty bad for years and it’s in close proximity to the homeless shelter, so some people who don’t qualify to get into the shelter, because they have their rules and guidelines, could use that location to go into and reside. And we don’t want that because we don’t want another incident like what happened on River Street where people perished (in a structure fire). That was a terrible, terrible situation.”  

Marco said the demolition of the structures is being sent out as a package for bidders so that it costs less to have them both removed. Bids are being accepted until Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.

“We feel like by combining these two structures, we are getting them removed at a reasonable price,” said Marco. “By packaging them you tend to get more bang for our buck.”

Marco added that the city doesn’t own either of the two structures that are scheduled to be demolished.

“We were able to work with the property owners to help get these dilapidated properties down,” he said. “It’s nice when that happens and we don’t have to go through court and everything like that.” 

Back in 2021, the West Virginia Legislature passed Senate Bill 368 to allow the state Department of Environmental Protection to develop the Dilapidated Properties Program, to approve and administer funding to assist local jurisdictions in demolishing dilapidated buildings. 

Elkins was awarded $300,000 through the program in 2022, and has been removing structures across the city ever since.

“With the grant money we have been able to address some of the properties that we haven’t been able to get to because of the price,” Marco said. “Prior to getting the DEP money, we only had $50,000 a year to take some of these properties down.”

The purpose of the demolitions is to remove unsafe structures, protect property values for neighboring homes and buildings, and encourage economic development in the city.

“The majority of people I talk to are very thrilled that we are taking some of these properties down,” Marco said. “I have had a few people concerned about historical properties and I have to remind them that just because a property is old, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s historical. There’s a difference between historic and old.”