PARKERSBURG - The asbestos abatement and demolition of the latest flood mitigation property in Happy Valley is now complete.

"We are asking for the final draw down on the project. The asbestos abatement and demolition is now complete. It is a vacant lot. They have put down the straw and grass seed," said Tim Meeks with the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council.

Empire Buildings was awarded the bid for $14,000 to conduct asbestos abatement and demolish the residence at 808 Happy Valley Road. The work was part of a grant-funded federal flood mitigation project. The program permits the county to purchase floodprone properties in a specific area so those landowners can move out of the floodplain, with the goal of reducing the number of taxpayer-subsidized flood damage claims.

The program is offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Meeks said the asbestos testing cost was around $387. The total administration fees were $5,744, with the cost for the abatement and demo totalling $20,131, which zeros out the grant for the project.

"Homeland Security officials still need to do a final inspection. I have e-mailed them photos of the site and they said it looks fine, but they will be down here personally to look it over, then they will give us a letter finalizing the project," Meeks said.

"Once we've received that final letter, we can work with the individuals who have approached us about leasing the property," Commissioner Blair Couch noted. "In the meantime, I'd ask the county administrator to get the figures for the taxes on the two lots there for the vacant property."

Meeks said he expects to hear on the final approval within the next couple of weeks.

Asbestos was found in some portions of the home earlier so the county was required to do asbestos abatement before demolition could begin. The asbestos-containing material had to be removed in accordance with guidelines. Basically its enclosed before it's removed, then it has to be disposed of according to requirements. Once the asbestos is removed, demo could be done, MOVRC officials said.

The 808 Happy Valley Road property was purchased for $222,101.

The asbestos inspector was American Pride, of Williamstown, who did that job for $387.69.

Properties chosen for the program are determined by the largest number of flood claims. It is a voluntary program, homeowners are not forced to sell out.

Once the demo is complete, the county takes over the property and the Wood County commissioners have been leasing out the land, once vacated, to neighbors who expressed an interest for the amount of tax due on the vacant land. Two neighbors have expressed interest in leasing this property once structures on the land were removed.

The federal program prohibits any new structures being placed on the property once the house is removed.