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The Run Down: Dilapidated properties subjects of discussion at Parkersburg City Council, URA meetings

By Evan Bevins 3 min read

PARKERSBURG -- City officials continue to work to acquire a crumbling structure via eminent domain more than three years after the original vote was taken.

During the public forum at Tuesday's Parkersburg City Council meeting, resident Karen Kibble asked city officials to demolish 1334 39th St. where a carport roof has caved in and a large "rat snake" has been seen.

"We've watched the property deteriorate while homeless people squat in the garage and the shed," she said. "Not only is this place a horrible eyesore, but it stinks."

Former Councilman Jeff Fox, also speaking during the forum, agreed the structure is unsound and noted council, acting as the Urban Renewal Authority, voted to take it via eminent domain when he was a member. The acquisition for a fair market value of $3,000 was approved in February 2020.

On Wednesday, City Planner Connor LaVelle said it is "not completed, but it's in the process."

The city must notify all heirs with an interest in the property of its intentions, he said.

"That's a very large and extended family tree," LaVelle said. "That's what ate up a lot of time."

The city is preparing to file the proper documents for acquisition, but it is still "a multi-month process," he said.

Council met as the URA Tuesday following its regular meeting. Members voted to demolish one dilapidated building but tabled a decision on three others.

LaVelle asked members to clarify their intent for properties at 1107 Pike St., 702 and 704 13th St. and 1238 Swann St. The properties were accepted as donations in February, but the motions did not include instructions on what to do with the structures on them.

"We're hoping that we can move forward with more specific motions, but these are a couple that are still in the pipeline," LaVelle said.

The authority voted 6-0, with Councilmen Bob Mercer, J.R. Carpenter and Zach Stanley absent, to have 1107 Pike St. demolished.

The other three structures are all on the same tax map parcel. Before a vote was taken, Parkersburg resident Deirdre Prince suggested council try to sell the buildings before resorting to demolition.

As members viewed exterior photos of the buildings, Councilman Mike Reynolds asked about the condition of the interiors. LaVelle and Code Enforcement Director Andy Nestor said they did not have as much information about these structures because the city was approached about accepting them as donations rather than having them referred from the Building Enforcement Agency.

Reynolds suggested the city could try to auction the buildings to people who would rehabilitate them. Council President Sharon Kuhl asked what would happen if a buyer left them in the same or worse condition.

"What if we go in these places and it's not bad?" Reynolds said.

Councilwoman Wendy Tuck, participating by phone, made a motion to assess the condition of the buildings. Authority members decided not to take action requesting an appraisal but rather to have their subcommittee gather more information.

"If they walk in and the foundation's cracked and the floor joists are rotting, why bother?" Councilman Chris Rexroad said.

The authority voted to table the matter until its next meeting, slated to follow the Aug. 22 council meeting.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

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