(Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Commission opened bids Thursday for two demolition jobs to tear down some dilapidated structures in the county.

The commission opened three bids each for the demolition of 4339 Laurel Creek Road in Waverly and 44 Sandalwood Drive in Williamstown.

Both properties were dilapidated and needed to come down, Wood County Compliance Officer Levi Brady had previously reported to the commission.

The jobs would qualify for removal under some of the dilapidated property cleanup grant money the county gets from the state. Once they are awarded, the work would be paid through the state Division of Environmental Protection Dilapidated Properties Program Grant, officials said.

The property located at 4339 Laurel Creek Road in Waverly is an old farmhouse structure which Brady had said last month had 13 different openings. There was also a dilapidated garage on the property to be removed.

No one has lived in the house for a long time, officials said.

Brady had said the owners were contacted and “they were immediately on board” with what was being proposed in getting the structure torn down using grant funds.

Brady met with them and signed all the appropriate paperwork. An engineering report was done.

The bids for the job were from Tim Graham Excavating in Parkersburg for $7,200; Empire Builders of Parkersburg for $8,500 and J.C. Bosley Construction of Parkersburg for $3,400

The property at 44 Sandalwood Drive in Williamstown included a home where a tree fell on it four or five years ago, Brady had said. About two-thirds of the house was open because of the fallen tree.

Again, they have an engineering report done and all the appropriate paperwork has been signed.

The bids were from Empire Builders for $28,500; J.C. Bosley for $44,000; and Tim Graham Excavating for $7,200.

Brady had said under the grant the property owners retain ownership of the land and are responsible for maintaining and taking care of it.

The county has been able to clean up seven other properties under this grant program, officials said.

The commission referred all of the bids to Brady and Wood County Administrator Marty Seufer for review and to make a recommendation to the commission on which one to award.