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PARKERSBURG -- The Wood County Commission gave its approval to divide a landslide repair/home demolition project into two stages in the hopes of getting it done sooner.
Joel Davis of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council appeared before the commission Monday to get approval to divide a single project into two to be able to get something moving to clean up the property at 293 Oak Acres Circle near Washington Bottom.
In April 2020, a landslide pushed the house, owned by Scott and Elaine Jenkins, off its foundation. The structure was deemed uninhabitable by emergency responders and code enforcement officials.
Davis said efforts have been going on now for over three years to build a retaining wall and remove the house. They are working with the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"(FEMA) wants to phase the project out," Davis said. "The first phase would be the buyout and demolition of the property, get the (structure) out of there and cleaned up. Then they want to do the retaining wall and do the earthwork for the landslide that actually occurred as the second phase of the project."
By doing this they are hoping to speed things up in getting the house torn down as it is considered a hazardous structure, he said.
Some estimates have the retaining wall costing around $30,000, funding for which Davis said is available. Officials want the structure removal and the retaining wall done separately so one side or the other wouldn't be held up.
Otherwise to do it now as a single project would cause more delays, Davis said.
"I just want to help this guy," Davis said of Scott Jenkins, who is in regular contact with him. "This is the only way I can think that we can get him paid out in any sort of time and get this home demolished. It is just a major hazard to the area."
The project costs will remain the same, and the county will not have to pay anything towards it.
"Whatever is the most expeditious way to get this guy taken care of, I am all for it," Commission President Blair Couch said.
The commission unanimously passed a motion to divide the project into two separate projects.
In other business, the commission unanimously put Jonathan Defibaugh Jr. in nomination for a vacancy on the Wood County Alternative Transportation Council. He recently started with WWW Interstate Planning Commission as the bicycle outreach coordinator in regards to local bicycling opportunities and trails.
Defibaugh appeared before the commission and said he has been working on plans with the council and wants to serve as a voting member.
The commission will make its final decision next week.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com