MERCER COUNTY W.Va. – Dilapidated structures in Mercer County are continuing to come down thanks to funding given by the State of West Virginia.
Now WVVA is following up to see just how much progress has been done in the initiative.
With an additional $750,000 at its disposal, Mercer county is hoping to tear down 125 more dilapidated buildings.
The county previously used $1.5 million to tear down 174 run-down structures.
Now with this new funding put to use two more buildings came down on Tuesday including a home in the Flat Top area.
“This is number 58 and we have 62 in this group so I only have four more to go then this 62 will be completed. I’m ready to bid out more at the end of this month, another 46,” said Mills.
Mills says the county is making good progress as they just started tearing down more buildings in November. She says the county is still taking applications from the public for building demolitions but there is a catch.
“What we do is file a lien on a house let’s say for three years and then after that three years is up the lien is forgiven. It’s released and the debt is forgiven,” said Mills. “Now with mobile homes they’re personal property. If you have a single wide, it’s $500 for us to remove it and it’s $1,000 for a double-wide so still very, very reasonable.”
Applications can be picked up at Mills’ office on the first floor of the war museum building. You can also request an application by emailing Mills at [email protected]
Mills says she hopes the county can receive additional funding from the state to continue their demolition initiative however there is no guarantee as of now
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