BLUEFIELD, Va. – Last month the zoning administrator for the Town of Bluefield says they budgeted around $100,000 to tear down ten buildings.
So far eight have been torn down, including one on North College Avenue that came down on Wednesday. Town leaders insist this is just the beginning and they’ll be budgeting for more demolitions that will take place later this year.
“We’ve already started working on the list for the next phase. We’ll start that phase come the next budget year which starts in July. So we’ve already started on that list of the next ten,” said Nathaniel Mitchem, zoning administrator for the Town of Bluefield.
Houses have also been demolished on Tazewell Avenue, Grove Street and High Street among others.
Mitchem says there’s still around 40 buildings that need either torn down or renovated in the town. He says the town is continuing their approach of trying to renovate before tearing down. However, he says many of them are abandoned leaving the town no choice.
“They’re abandoned and neglected. They’re all a safety risk. These next ten, most of them they still have open windows, open doors. They have holes in the walls or holes in the roof so they’re still definitely a risk,” said Mitchem.
Mitchem says two buildings remain on the town’s first list of ten buildings. He says one will likely be demolished soon and the second is in the process of being renovated.
Mitchem says if houses are demolished using town funds then a lien would be placed against the property for the amount paid to demolish the structure.
Mitchem says he believes state code would allow for the town to sell the properties in a tax sale if the lien amount and property taxes become delinquent after six months.
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